The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), City of Austin, City of Cedar Park, and the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) have a message for Central Texans: "Don’t be fooled by a full Lake Travis."
"While recent rains elevated Central Texas out of its record drought, the next one may be just around the corner, and we need to be prepared," said Suzanne Zarling, Executive Manager of Water Services at LCRA, at today’s press conference. We can’t only count on the weather to save us from future droughts." Last year’s "exceptional" drought — the most serious drought level designation — was the worst in Central Texas since the 1950s.
More than one million Texans depend on the finite resources of the Colorado River and its Highland Lakes, including Lake Travis, as their primary source of drinking water, and more than 60,000 people depend on water from the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer.
Beginning Saturday, May 1, residential water customers of LCRA, Austin, and Cedar Park will follow the same twice-a-week watering schedule. Depending on the street address, customers may water as needed only before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. Odd numbered addresses water on Wednesdays and Saturdays, while even numbered addresses water on Thursdays and Sundays. The watering schedule is mandatory in Austin and LCRA’s West Travis County Regional Water System.
"Having one watering schedule eliminates confusion," said Austin Water Director Greg Meszaros, who thanked area residents for their water-saving actions during the recent drought. "We asked our customers to use less water and they responded. Last year, Austin saved more than 2.5 billion gallons of water through conservation efforts. "Today we’re urging residents to make those water-saving habits part of their everyday lifestyle."
Wanted: Central Texas Water-Wasting Outlaws
During a joint press conference at LCRA’s Redbud Center, the utilities unveiled a list of "Most Wanted Water-Wasting Outlaws" in Central Texas. As part of Water IQ, a statewide public awareness conservation program, the "Most Wanted" list identifies and quantifies the top water-wasters as a way to teach people how much water and money they can save by fixing leaky toilets and faucets, following the watering schedule, not over-watering lawns, and repairing broken and misdirected sprinkler heads. For example, fixing a leaky faucet can save 3,000 gallons a year, and repairing a broken sprinkler head can save hundreds of gallons per watering.
Cedar Park Council Member Mitch Fuller said, "Most of us share Lake Travis as a common water source, and wasting water just can’t be an option. Taking a regional approach to water conservation only makes sense and the water-use habits of one area affect us all."
Dr. Bob Larsen, President of the Board of Directors for the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, notes, "Here in Central Texas, groundwater and surface water are limited resources. With water conservation, a little effort by individual end-users, when multiplied by a million users, can do a great amount of good. We’re all in this together, and water conservation is a win for everyone involved."
Five-Point Check for Sprinkler Systems
LCRA and Austin Water conservation experts developed a five-point checklist for people with in-ground irrigation systems. "Irrigation audits are recommended every year," said Zarling. "Homes with in-ground sprinkler systems use up to 35 percent more water than homes without systems. So it is especially important to make sure those systems are as efficient as possible." The audit covers:
- Checking and familiarizing yourself with the irrigation controller;
- Checking sprinkler heads for spray coverage and water output;
- Checking for broken, misdirected, blocked or sunken sprinkler heads;
- Checking the system’s water pressure; and
- Adjusting the watering schedule for various zones to match the needs of turf and planting beds.
"We have enough water, but none to waste," said Zarling. "With our population expected to double to more than 2.7 million by 2060, we must make water conservation part of our everyday lives."
About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) is a nonprofit conservation and reclamation district that provides energy, water, and community services to Texans. Created by the Texas Legislature in 1934, LCRA has no taxing authority and operates solely on utility revenues and service fees. LCRA supplies electricity to more than 1.1 million Texans through more than 40 wholesale customers. LCRA also provides many other services in the region. These services include managing floods, protecting the quality of the lower Colorado River and its tributaries, providing parks and recreational facilities, offering economic development assistance, operating water and wastewater utilities, and providing soil, energy, and water conservation programs.
About the City of Cedar Park
Founded in 1973, Cedar Park has grown into a thriving community. It was named One of the Top 10 Places to Raise a Family by Family Circle magazine and the 11th fastest growing suburb in the nation. Cedar Park is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all its residents and strives to be a community where you can live, work and play.
About the City of Austin
The City of Austin is one of the 20 largest in the country. Austin City government owns and operates both Austin Energy and Austin Water, and provides a broad range of economic development, water conservation and quality protection, and recreational services to the local community. Austin Water delivers treated water to more than 192,500 customers.
About Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District
In 1987, the Texas Legislature created the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District to conserve, protect, and enhance the limited resources of the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer and underlying aquifers. The District incorporates approximately 250 square miles including both urban and rural areas and serves over 60,000 people in Travis, Hays, Bastrop, and Caldwell Counties.
About Water IQ
Water IQ is a public awareness campaign offering simple tips to help consumers save water. In addition to LCRA, City of Cedar Park and City of Austin, other entities that use Water IQ to educate their citizens include the North Texas Municipal Water District, the City of Lubbock, the City of San Angelo, the City of Tyler, the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1, the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District and the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District.
