Austin is making water headlines this weekend and for good reason—after what’s felt like a never-ending stretch of drought, the city’s reservoirs are finally replenished. According to the Austin Monitor, officials have loosened watering restrictions that have been in place for about two years. Homeowners will now enjoy extended watering hours, with automatic irrigation permitted once a week between 7 p.m. and 10 a.m., a 15-hour window that gives everyone a chance to beat the heat. Hose-end sprinklers can now be used twice a week, while drip irrigation also gets a boost. Shay Ralls Roalson, Austin Water’s director, says these changes come thanks to community conservation efforts and improved water levels, though she reminds us that some restrictions still remain because conservation is always a priority.
Now, let’s talk about the weather. EaseWeather.com shows that over the past 48 hours, Austin has enjoyed warm, sunny days: highs have hovered around 33 degrees Celsius, or 91 degrees Fahrenheit, with nighttime temperatures falling to a mild 64. There’s been little to no rainfall in this window—just a minimal 2.1 millimeters on October 11, and none reported for October 12. So, if you were hoping for a backyard shower from the sky, you’ll have to wait a bit longer. In fact, the October trend points to 19 rainy days total for the month and an average of 92.4 millimeters of precipitation. But these last two days have been bone dry, a relief for outdoor plans, but a gentle nudge that conservation still matters.
On the water quality front, there’s good news for Austinites but a bit of a scare for neighbors in Manor. CBS Austin reports that Manor residents experienced a boil water notice after a water main break on Wednesday, but it was lifted on October 9. Lab tests confirmed the water’s safe for drinking and cooking, so Manor’s taps are good to go again. Meanwhile, Austin Water conducted an emergency training exercise on October 1 near Ullrich Water Treatment Plant that simulated an oil spill response, partnering with local agencies to refine protocols for rapid incident handling. No real contaminants were released—just a drill to prepare for worst-case scenarios and keep our drinking water safe.
Zooming out, the Texas Tribune underscores a broader challenge: water supply across the state is still under stress. Aging infrastructure leaks millions of gallons a year, and climate change isn’t doing us any favors. Population growth drives demand ever higher, making the recent Austin reservoir rebound a bright spot, but also highlighting the need for continued vigilance and major investment. State lawmakers are urging voters to approve 10 billion dollars in water upgrades, with local experts calling it a crucial step for securing the future.
As for precipitation totals this month, climate-data.org notes Austin usually sees around 89 millimeters in October, so we’re tracking just a little higher than average so far. The latest historical data from Austin-Bergstrom airport shows no precipitation reported through late October 11, but clear skies have dominated—good news for outdoor events and those soaking up the fall warmth.
So, here’s the bottom line for listeners in Austin: the city’s water supply is healthy and restrictions are relaxing, the weather’s warm and dry right now, and the tap water remains safe to drink. Manor’s boil water scare is over, emergency teams are prepared, and the state’s eyeing big investments to future-proof water for all Texans.
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