Mandatory Water Restrictions

March 10, 2025

The District has moved to  Stage 2 (1 day per week) water restrictions.

Stage 2 Watering Restrictions

Because your District’s wholesale water supplier, the L.C.R.A. has initiated Stage 2 Water Restrictions, Travis County W.C.I.D. #18 is required to do the same. 

Irrigate outdoors using automatic or manual irrigation systems or hose-end sprinklers no more than ONCE per week for up to 15 hours and only during scheduled days and times as indicated below.

Residential automatic irrigation systems

Odd number addresses: Wednesdays  

Even number addresses: Thursdays

Residential hose-end irrigation

Odd number addresses: Saturdays

Even number addresses: Sundays

Commercial (including large landscapes such as HOA common areas and public schools) 
 Even number addresses: Tuesdays
 Odd number addresses: Fridays

Watering Hours 

Midnight to 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. to midnight

Please adjust irrigation schedules to follow the “one day per week” as per the requirements above.

                   Irrigation of Landscaped Areas:

b.    Outdoor watering hours will be limited to 15 hours per day before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m. on designated days as determined by Travis County Water Control and Improvement District No. This prohibition does not apply to irrigation of landscaped areas if it is by means of:

1. a hand-held hose with a positive shut-off device; or
2. a faucet-filled bucket or watering can of 5 gallons or less.

c.    New landscapes may be installed and revegetation seeding performed under these specific criteria:

1. A completed variance form for new landscapes has been submitted to the Travis County Water Control and Improvement District No. 18 and has been approved prior to the installation of the landscape, or re-vegetation seed application.
2. Irrigation of the new landscape follows the schedule identified in the new landscape variance. The schedule will be developed to minimize water waste.
3. Areas being revegetated for soil stabilization must also comply with the (i) and (ii) specific criteria above. Alternative options to revegetation such as mulch may be available in times of low water supply. Additional information regarding options is available in the LCRA Highland Lakes Watershed Ordinance Technical Manual.
4. Variances for new landscapes may be issued for a period of no more than 30 days from the day of issuance. A variance is not an exemption from compliance with the permanent water use restrictions. Variances will not be granted for seasonal “color bed” or temporary grass installation (overseeding).
5. New landscapes may only be installed if no more than 50% of the new irrigated landscaped area is water-conserving natural turf and only drought-tolerant or native plants are installed.

Vehicle Washing:

Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, such as a motorbike, boat, trailer or airplane, is prohibited except on designated watering days before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. Such activity, when allowed, shall be done with a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle. A vehicle may be washed anytime at a commercial car wash facility or commercial service station. This activity is exempt from these regulations if the health, safety and welfare of the public are served by washing the vehicle, such as a truck used to collect garbage or used to transport food and perishables.

Pools:

a.   Draining and refilling is permitted only onto pervious surfaces or onto a surface where water will be transmitted directly to a pervious surface, and only if:

1. Draining excess water from pool due to rain in order to lower water to maintenance level;
2. Repairing, maintaining or replacing pool components that have become hazardous; or
3. Repair of a pool leak.

b.   Public/community swimming pools are allowed to fill or replenish water in order to maintain safe levels of water quality for human contact and for maintenance as outlined above.

Outside Water Features:

1. Operation of outside water features except for ornamental fountains with a 4-inch emission or fall of water[1] that are recirculating is prohibited except where such features are used for aeration necessary to sustain aquatic life or maintain water quality. (This provision includes recirculating fountains associated with aesthetic ponds and swimming pools unless required for filtration).   
2. Operation of outdoor misting systems at a commercial facility is allowed only between 4 p.m. and midnight.
3. Splash pad type fountains must be recirculating and should have an automatic timer shut-off feature when not in use unless public health and safety is compromised by installing a shut-off feature.

Ponds:

Ponds used for aesthetic, amenity and/or storm water purposes may maintain water levels only as necessary to preserve the integrity of the liner and operating system.  Travis County Water Control and Improvement District No. 18 may request specific design documentation regarding a pond and the intended purpose.

Events:

Events involving the use of water such as: car washes, festivals, parties, water slides and other activities involving the use of water are permitted, if the water being used drains to a recirculating device or onto a pervious surface to prevent water waste.

Restaurants:

Restaurants, bars and other commercial food or beverage establishments are encouraged not to provide drinking water to customers unless a specific request is made by the customer for drinking water.

Hotels/motels:

The owner or operator of a hotel, motel short-term rental or other establishment that offers or provides lodging or rental accommodations for compensation are encouraged to offer a towel and linen reuse water conservation option to its lodgers, renters or customers and maintain signage about the opportunity to participate in each  guest room, suite, or property.

Fire Hydrants:

Use of water from fire hydrants shall be prohibited for landscape irrigation, filling pools, operating fountains and car washing. Water should be transported only for the purpose of firefighting or providing minimal water needed for indoor use where auxiliary sources are inadequate and activities necessary to maintain public health, safety and welfare, or for construction use. Transport of water other than for firefighting requires a variance and a meter.

Athletic fields

Watering should follow a no more than once-per-week schedule per irrigated area unless the athletic fields are actively used for organized sports practice, competition or exhibition events when irrigation outside of the standard weekly schedule is necessary to protect the health and safety of the players, staff or officials present for the athletic event.

1. All ornamental landscape areas around facilities with athletic fields shall follow general landscape irrigation restrictions.
2. A variance must be filed with the Travis County Water Control and Improvement District No. 18 for watering outside of the once per week irrigation schedule.

Water Waste

The following nonessential uses of water are prohibited during periods in which restrictions are in effect:

Electronic Water Meters 

December 13, 2022

Dear Resident:
The Board of Directors for Travis County W.C.I.D. #18 has installed electronic metering devices to replace the old water meters.  This will allow for a better and more accurate way to measure the water you use and also help you detect leaks in your home or irrigation system.

The electronic meters measure your water use on an hourly basis. The signal is receiveded online by our management company, Crossroads Utility Services, and also be available to you should wish to register on-line. These hourly readings will tell when water is being used. If your water use shoots up and you don’t know why, you will be able to call us or look at your water use trends yourself on your computer or hand-held device.   If you decide to register, you will have access to look at your current and historic water use.  You might see a large spike in usage when your irrigation system runs. This might indicate that you have a broken pipe or sprinkler head on your system that needs to be repaired.

The creation of an account to view the information is completely optional. There is no charge to use this service. For those of you who are interested, instructions follow as to how to create an account.  The instructions are straight forward and use of the account is easy.

Once logged on to the website https://eyeonwater.com/signup, you will need to (i) enter your zip code, (ii) your water provider (W.C.I.D. #18), (iii) your W.C.I.D. #18 account number which is on your monthly bill and (iiii) your email address. You will then be asked to create a password of seven or more characters. A confirming email from the website will be sent to you as the final step to establish your personal account.

Once you are logged on to your personal account you will view key information regarding your water usage.  There is a “Help” button at the top of screen that provides information as other options available to you.

Use of this system will allow you to put in personalized information allowing the system to alert you quickly if you develop a leak at your house. We strongly encourage you to sign up for this service to help you in case your house or irrigation system ever develops a leak.