Raise Austin’s Water IQ

Do you know where your water comes from? The City of Austin’s water supply comes from the Colorado River. See? Your Water IQ is already going up.

Here in Central Texas, our growing population, booming economic development and hot, dry climate mean water is in greater demand than ever. It’s up to us to do right by the river and use its limited water supply wisely, so we can make it last for the future.

Luckily, reducing water use isn’t rocket science — it’s easy to save water. The first step is knowing about and following Austin’s new outdoor watering schedule.

Austin’s Outdoor Watering Schedule — Are you odd or even?

Here’s what you need to know to follow Austin’s outdoor watering schedule, which started October 1, 2007:

Single-family homes (including duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes):

  • Watering days are determined by street address
    — odd-numbered addresses water Wednesday and/or Saturday
    — even-numbered addresses water Thursday and/or Sunday
  • This schedule of watering days is in effect from May 1 to September 30.
  • If you water with an automatic sprinkler system, then you can water either before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. year-round. Never during the middle of the day.
  • If you water with a hose-end sprinkler, then from May 1 to September 30, you can water either before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m.; the rest of the year you can water at any time.
  • You can water with a hand-held hose or bucket at any time.

Commercial and multi-family properties (including common areas of condominiums and homeowners’ associations):

  • Watering days are Tuesday and/or Friday, either before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m., year-round.

Washing cars/driveways: Washing cars or hosing down driveways or other hard surfaces is not restricted unless heightened watering limitations become necessary. But in the interest of conserving water, we recommend using a broom to clean your driveway or sidewalk, and washing your car with a hose nozzle that stops the flow of water when you’re not using it.

Reporting Violations: If you see someone watering when they shouldn’t be, the best thing to do is to call Austin 3-1-1 or go online to fill out a water waste report. Please provide as much information as possible (address, date, time, type of violation). We will make sure violators understand the right way to water their landscape, and will help them comply with the ordinance. If they refuse to comply, they can be ticketed as violations are a Class C misdemeanor.

Save water, save money

The City of Austin offers several water conservation rebate programs and freebies, including:

  • Free sprinkler system audits: The City offers free evaluations for residential customers with underground irrigation systems. The audit alone is a $160 value, can reduce summertime water bills by 20 - 50 percent, and might make you eligible for rebates on recommended system improvements.
  • Free toilets/Toilet and installation rebates: Austin’s Toilet Replacement Program can help you replace up to three toilets per household. Get rebates of up to $200, or free high-efficiency toilets plus $60 toward installation.
  • WashWise rebates:The City offers a rebate of up to $150 ($100 water, $50 energy) for the purchase of high-efficiency clothes washers.
  • Pressure regulating valve rebates: The City offers a $100 rebate on the purchase and installation of a pressure regulating valve (PRV) for homes with excessive water pressure.
  • Rainwater harvesting rebates: The City offers up to a $500 rebate for the installation of a larger-capacity rainwater harvesting system. Additionally, the City offers 75-gallon rain barrels for sale at a discount.
  • Hot water on demand: Effective October 1, 2008, the City will offer up to a $200 rebate for the purchase of hot water recirculating systems to eliminate water wasted while waiting for it to heat up.

For more information, please visit www.WaterWiseAustin.org

Follow Austin’s watering schedule.
Lower your water use. Raise your Water IQ.