Over this past summer, Austin’s weather has experienced extreme heat, depleting our water supply and resulting in the City of Austin declaring Stage 2 watering restrictions. Recent rains have had little impact on lake storage levels. The combined storage in Lakes Travis and Buchanan is currently sitting at 41%. As part of the Stage 2 restrictions, irrigation for new landscape establishment is no longer exempt and must follow the one-day-per-week watering schedule.

Austin Water understands that per code, homebuilders are required to install landscape, even during this period of drought. However, conserving water and avoiding water waste are critically important at this time. 

To help, Austin Water offers a New Xeriscape Landscape Watering Variance, which allows for additional watering within the first 40 days of establishing a new xeriscape landscape. Please note, that landscape eligibility requirements apply, and that current watering restrictions must continue to be followed until a completed New Xeriscape Landscape Watering Variance application is submitted to and approved by Austin Water. Click here for more information regarding eligibility requirements, checklist, or to apply for the New Xeriscape Landscape Watering Variance.

If have any questions, concerns, or if you are requesting a variance for multiple projects within the same subdivision, please feel free to contact us by email at watercon@austintexas.gov, or by phone at 512-974-2199 (option 4).

We thank you for your understanding and appreciate your help as we work to conserve our most precious resource. 

Austin Water