The following provides guidelines to the restrictions in effect at different stages of a drought. The more severe the drought conditions, the more restrictions required to limit water use.

Consumers are asked to voluntarily comply with these measures.

• Limit watering landscaped areas to a twice-a-week watering schedule. See LCRA’s recommended watering schedule (see table).
• Limit outdoor watering to midnight and 10 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to midnight on designated watering days. There are exceptions for new landscapes. During the first 10 days after installation, you may water once a day; for day 11 through 20, once every other day; and for day 21 through 30, once every third day.
• Do not wash motor vehicles, motorbikes, boats and other vehicles except during these hours on your designated watering days. Only use a bucket or hand-held hose equipped with a shutoff nozzle. (Exception: Commercial car washes, service stations and vehicles such as garbage trucks and those used to transport food and perishables.)
• Limit filling or refilling indoor or outdoor swimming pools, wading pools or Jacuzzi-type pools.
• Don’t operate ornamental fountains or ponds unless it is necessary to support aquatic life or the ponds are equipped with a re-circulation system.
• Limit water use from hydrants to fire fighting and related activities. Exception is possible for construction purposes if a special permit is obtained from LCRA water utility system.
• Limit irrigation of golf course fairways to designated outdoor water use days and between hours of midnight and 10 a.m. and between 7 p.m. and midnight. Exception: Irrigation of golf course greens and tees is allowed every other day if a plan is filed and approved by LCRA. These restrictions don’t apply if the golf course uses an alternate water supply, such as reclaimed water, rainwater or gray water.
• Restaurants are urged to serve water to patrons only upon request.
• Do not wash down sidewalks, walkways, driveways and other hard-surfaced areas.
• Do not wash down buildings or other structures for anything other than immediate fire protection.
• Repair all leaks as soon as possible, including broken irrigation or sprinkler heads, leaking valves or leaking faucets.

These water-use restrictions are mandatory for all retail water customers:

• Limit watering landscaped areas to a twice-a-week watering schedule. See LCRA’s recommended watering schedule above.
• Limit outdoor watering to midnight and 10 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to midnight on designated watering days. There are exceptions for new landscapes. During the first 10 days after installation, you may water once a day; for day 11 through 20, once every other day; and for day 21 through 30, once every third day.
• Do not wash motor vehicles, motorbikes, boats and other vehicles except during these hours on your designated watering days. Only use a bucket or hand-held hose equipped with a shutoff nozzle. (Exception: Commercial car washes, service stations and vehicles such as garbage trucks and those used to transport food and perishables.)
• Limit filling or refilling indoor or outdoor swimming pools, wading pools or Jacuzzi-type pools except on designated watering days and during designated watering hours.
• Don’t operate ornamental fountains or ponds unless it is necessary to support aquatic life or the ponds are equipped with a re-circulation system.
• Limit water use from hydrants to fire fighting and related activities. Exception is possible for construction purposes if a special permit is obtained from LCRA water utility system.
• Limit irrigation of golf course fairways to designated outdoor water use days and between hours of midnight and 10 a.m. and between 7 p.m. and midnight. Exception: Irrigation of golf course greens and tees is allowed every other day if a plan is filed and approved by LCRA. These restrictions don’t apply if the golf course uses an alternate water supply, such as reclaimed water, rainwater or gray water.
• Restaurants are urged to serve water to patrons only upon request.
• Do not wash down sidewalks, walkways, driveways and other hard-surfaced areas.
• Do not wash down buildings or other structures for anything other than immediate fire protection.
• Repair all leaks as soon as possible, including broken irrigation or sprinkler heads, leaking valves or leaking faucets.

These are additional mandatory restrictions to further reduce non-essential water uses.

• All the requirements under stage two remain in effect, along with the modifications and additions below.
• Watering only permitted with hand-held hoses, hand-held buckets or drip irrigation.
• Use of hose-end sprinklers or permanently installed automatic sprinkler systems prohibited at all times.
• No installation of new landscapes permitted.
• No washing motor vehicles, motorbikes, boats and other vehicles.
• No filling, refilling water to swimming pools, wading pools and Jacuzzi-type pools.
• No applications for new or expanded water service connections, meters, service lines, pipeline extensions, mains and water service facilities of any kind shall be allowed or approved.
• For golf courses: These restrictions DO NOT apply if the course uses an alternate water supply as its only irrigation source, such as reclaimed water, rainwater or gray water.

• All the requirements under stage three remain in effect, along with the modifications and additions below.
• Watering of landscaped areas prohibited.
• For golf courses: All restrictions apply, unless the course uses an alternate water supply as its only irrigation source, such as reclaimed water, rainwater or gray water.
• Use of water for construction purposes from designated fire hydrants under a special permit discontinued.

Additional measures may be added as needed.

These are general guidelines; for the details see the complete drought contingency plan or contact LCRA at 1-877-718-4396.

— Updated Aug. 22, 2006