Over the past two days, water news in Austin has taken a refreshing turn. Thanks to heavy rainfall earlier in the summer and steady September showers, the reservoirs supplying the city are in much better shape than they were just months ago. According to Austin Water and Austin Monitor, the city officially moved from Stage 2 drought restrictions to the more relaxed Conservation Stage on September 2. This comes after nearly two years of drought-tight rules that saw lawns browning and car washes canceled left and right. Now, residents can water lawns once per week with automatic sprinklers, but the allowed window stretches from 7 pm to 10 am. Hose-end sprinklers get a boost too, up to two days per week, while drip irrigation remains permitted twice weekly. Conservation is still the name of the game, though—you can’t just flood your yard whenever you want, and fountains, car washes, and other water uses must follow city guidelines.
Austin Water’s director Shay Ralls Roalson sent out a citywide message reminding everyone that even with improved reservoir levels, responsible water use remains crucial, especially as the city continues to grow. Per capita daily water usage is down dramatically over the past decade, hovering around 131 gallons per person in 2023, compared to more than 160 gallons back in 2011, which shows people are taking conservation seriously.
Turning to the weather, reports from Weather2Travel and historical data from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport highlight typical September heat with day temperatures reaching 32 degrees Celsius and muggy humidity. Over the last two days, skies have been mostly cloudy with gentle breezes around 9 miles an hour. The rainfall this September has reached about 90 mm, which is average for the month—enough to keep creeks flowing but not enough to erase the drought concerns completely.
In the past 48 hours, precipitation hasn’t spiked, but steady rain in earlier weeks is why water levels are up and why restrictions loosened. Still, experts warn that runoff levels for local rivers and creeks this summer were 30 to 50 percent below average despite the rain, according to panelists at the recent Urban Land Institute Austin event. The continuing effects of drought in the broader region mean Central Texas—Austin included—cannot rely solely on short bursts of wet weather to solve long-term supply issues.
Infrastructure, population growth, and water policy are under scrutiny. Water Forward, the city's 100-year integrated plan, is in full swing, exploring new supply strategies like Aquifer Storage and Recovery, targeted for completion in the next decade. Meanwhile, commercial businesses and city parks can participate in audits and conservation rebates to further reduce water use.
Drinking water quality remains strong according to city reports, with ongoing upgrades and monitoring in place for Austin’s water supply. There's no public health advisory, and tap water is safe for all uses.
For Austin residents, the overall message is optimistic but cautious: take advantage of relaxed watering rules, but keep up conservation habits. Rain has helped, but long-term planning and individual responsibility are still vital to make sure Austin’s water future stays secure.
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