The Round Rock City Council on Oct. 10, 2013, enacted Stage I restrictions that allow only twice-a-week watering for its customers. The restrictions are still in effect.

Conservation water rates also are now in effect through September.

The City’s Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) consists of 3 stages. Stage 1 restrictions for this Stage are based on the following schedule:

• Single-Family Residential Odd-Numbered Addresses are Wednesday and/or Saturday
• Single-Family Residential Even-Numbered Addresses are Thursday and/or Sunday
• Commercial/Multi-Family Residential are Tuesday and/or Friday

Watering is allowed between midnight to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to midnight only.

The following activities are allowed in compliance with the watering schedule above:

• Outdoor watering
• Foundation watering
• Wash vehicles
• Fill swimming pools
• Golf course irrigation
• New landscaping
• Operating ornamental fountains that DO recirculate water

Not allowed:

• Street, sidewalk, patio washing
• Operating ornamental fountains that do NOT recirculate water

Exclusions:

• Commercial carwashes
• Commercial plant nurseries
• Commercial power washing companies
• Athletic fields where field is in use (organized youth, amateur or professional sports)
• Necessary usage to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public (i.e. washing garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and perishables)
• Irrigation using other sources of water, such as groundwater, City’s reuse water, or rainwater

The BRA issued a Stage 2 Drought Warning declaration for Lake Georgetown in October 2013, requesting a 10-percent reduction in water use from the reservoir.

City Utilities Director Michael Thane said at the time Round Rock customers had already been using less water compared to the previous year, but the potential impact of the ongoing drought necessitate taking additional conservation measures.

“This makes sense because if we don’t get a significant amount of rain over the next nine months, Lake Georgetown will be at dangerously low levels as we head into next summer,” Thane said.

In 2013, compared to 2012, Round Rock customers used approximately 6 percent less water.  Thane credits an aggressive water conservation education program and the City’s tiered rates in summer months for the decreased usage.