LMUD Moves to Stage 2 Watering Restrictions March 1

In preparation for spring and summer, to stay ahead of the ongoing drought showing no signs of easing, the LMUD Board of Directors has committed to a move from “Stage 1” to “Stage 2” watering restrictions starting March 1, 2025, requiring LMUD customers to limit their automatic irrigation to 1-day per week on an assigned day.

“[Lake Travis] is currently about 281,000 AF above where we were at this time of year in 2014…but we would need about 44,000 AF to come into the lakes between now and the end of February to … avoid a move to Stage 2 restrictions on March 1,” said LMUD general manager Earl Foster during the February 12, 2025 Board Meeting.

With this change to Stage 2 watering restrictions, LMUD drought rates also go into effect, impacting customers using over 30,000 gallons per bill cycle (two months). Rates can be found on the LMUD website: https://lakewaymud.org/customers/rates/. Drought rates also go into effect March 1, 2025.


WATER-SAVING REBATES AVAILABLE
Customers are encouraged to continue using water wisely, implementing water saving measures wherever possible. In a February 20, 2025 press release, John Hofmann, LCRA executive vice president of Water at LCRA, said, “We know people are getting ready for spring, and we can’t stress strongly enough how important it is to use drought-tolerant plants that can survive and thrive on watering no more than once a week.” 

LMUD customers have access to LCRA rebates for 50% of the cost, up to $600, for irrigation system evaluations, pressure-reducing heads and nozzles, pressure-reducing valves and in-line regulators, soil moisture sensors, rain sensors, WaterSense smart controllers, pool filters and covers, mechanical aeration, compost and mulch, and soil testing. LCRA’s most recent offerings include rebates for hose-end timers and converting turf grass to native garden beds or drought-tolerant landscapes. For more information, visit the LMUD office during office hours for a brochure (1097 Lohmans Crossing) or visit https://lakewaymud.org/update/watersmart-residential-rebates-program/.

STAGE 2 WATERING SCHEDULE
Use of an automatic inground irrigation system, timed drip/soaker hose, and/or unattended hose-end sprinkler shall not exceed one (1) day per week with the following restrictions:

• Limited to a designated day based on the last digit of the service address;
• No automatic irrigation is allowed on Sundays;
• Automatic irrigation is limited to the hours of 7:01pm to 9:59am (no irrigation between 10am and 7pm); and
• Commercial accounts are defined as public common areas irrigated with LMUD potable water, such as those maintained by homeowner associations.

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• Hand watering, defined as the manual operation of a hose with a functional hose-end spray nozzle with working trigger shut-off, or refillable container, is allowed at any time. Customer will be subject to a penalty up to $1,000 if the customer is alerted by LMUD AMI metering system’s detection of a pattern suspect as timed irrigation, quantity of water use exceeds a typical garden hose flow rate, and/or a violation is observed by LMUD personnel. See Rate Order for details.
• Vehicle washing, power washing, and flushing or flooding gutters are allowed with the use of a functional hose-end spray nozzle with working trigger shut-off or refillable container only. An open hose with continually running water used for these purposes is prohibited.
• The operation of outdoor water features or temporary continuous flow of water for events or activities are allowed. Examples include, but are not limited to, personal water slides; personal splash pads; temporary pools, spas, ponds, or fountains; and/or misting systems.
• Additional automatic irrigation of newly installed sod, landscaping, or re-vegetation seeding is permitted by approved variance only. Variance must be submitted and approved by LMUD personnel before additional irrigation is used. Failure to abide by the terms of an approved variance are subject to penalty.
• Pool filling for new installation or to maintenance levels is allowed. No variance required. Customer will be subject to penalty and/or be required to install a cover if the customer is alerted by LMUD AMI metering system’s detection of a pattern suspect as timed irrigation, quantity of water use is deemed as excess, and/or a violation is observed by LMUD personnel attributed to routine refilling due to excess water evaporation.

These restrictions remain in effect until updated.

For additional information on LMUD watering restrictions, visit https://lakewaymud.org/customers/irrigation-schedule/.

_{Notice sent by email, voice, and/or text to LMUD customers on 2/25/2025.}