Austin's Water Woes Washed Away: A Conservation Victory

Austin is waking up to surprising news on the water front, and it’s actually good news for once. Reservoirs supplying the city have seen a dramatic rise in water levels thanks to recent rainfall, leading Austin Water to announce a rollback of drought-related watering restrictions around Labor Day. No more Stage 2; as of September 2, the city is officially in Conservation Stage. But don’t go wild with your sprinklers—automatic irrigation systems are still capped at one day per week, though you’ve got a wider window from 7 p.m. to 10 a.m. Hose-end sprinklers now get a second day each week, so thirsty lawns are sighing with relief. Drip irrigation remains at twice per week, perfect for squeezing a little more juice from your garden.

Austin Water Director Shay Ralls Roalson sent out a reminder that even with healthier lakes, conservation is everyone’s responsibility. Austin is home to one of the strictest drought contingency plans in Texas and it shows—the city’s per capita water use dropped from 160 to about 131 gallons a day over the last decade! For those worried about the future, Austin’s Water Forward plan projects supply for the next century, accounting for population and climate changes. Right now, the Highland Lakes system is in good shape, but officials remain vigilant since drought can return quickly—so don’t lose that conservation mindset.

For folks wondering about rain, September wasn’t especially soggy but it was enough to matter. Across the past month, Austin weather logged about 90 millimeters of rain and 8 rainy days, per long-term averages. More recent data from September 26 through today shows very little precipitation. Friday afternoon was warm and dry, with a temperature pushing 91 degrees and barely a breeze. Today, on September 28, skies are sunny, temperatures are peaking near 35 degrees Celsius (that’s about 95 Fahrenheit), and rainfall has been a no-show for the last 48 hours, easing concerns about flash floods but confirming those reservoirs are running on last week’s rain rather than new stormwater.

Humidity remains high, UV levels are strong, and the city is enjoying about 8 hours of bright sunshine daily. While the start of September was notably mucky, things dried up quickly in the third week, with only pulses of rain on the 24th and 25th—totaling around 2.5 mm. Severe weather hasn’t threatened drinking water, which continues to be safe and reliably supplied for the city. Boating and recreational water access were unaffected, though Labor Day saw fewer incidents but a rise in boating fatalities, as reported by Texas Parks and Wildlife.

In short, Austin’s water supply is in a sweet spot—enough rain to boost lake levels, reduced watering restrictions, but steady conservation guidelines to keep everyone honest. Drink up, Austin, but make every drop count as the city keeps planning for tomorrow’s growth and challenges.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is Your Water News for Austin, Texas podcast. Austin
is waking up to surprising news on the waterfront, and
it's actually good news for once. Reservoirs supplying the city
have seen a dramatic rise in water levels thanks to
recent rainfall, leading Austin Water to announce a rollback of
drought related watering restrictions around Labor Day. No more stage two.

(00:22):
As of September two, the city is officially in conservation stage.
But don't go wild with your sprinklers. Automatic irrigation systems
are still capped at one day per week, though you've
got a wider window from seven pm to ten am.
Hose end sprinklers now get a second day each week,
so thirsty lawns are sighing with relief. Drip irrigation remains

(00:45):
at twice per week, perfect for squeezing a little more
juice from your garden. Austin Water Director Shay rals Rolson
sent out a reminder that even with healthier lakes, conservation
is everyone's responsibility. Austin is home to one of the
strictest drought contingency plans in Texas, and it shows the
city's per capita water use dropped from one hundred and

(01:07):
sixty to about one hundred and thirty one gallons a
day over the last decade. For those worried about the future,
Austin's Water Forward Plan projects supply for the next century,
accounting for population and climate changes. Right now, the Highland
Lakes system is in good shape, but officials remain vigilant
since drought can return quickly, so don't lose that conservation mindset.

(01:30):
For folks wondering about rain, September wasn't especially soggy, but
it was enough to matter. Across the past month, Austin
weather logged about ninety millimeters of rain and eight rainy
days per long term averages. More recent data from September
twenty six through today shows very little precipitation. Friday afternoon

(01:50):
was warm and dry, with a temperature pushing ninety one
degrees and barely a breeze. Today, on September twenty eighth,
skies are sunny, temperatures are peaking near thirty five degrees
celsius that's about ninety five fahrenheit, and rainfall has been
a no show for the last forty eight hours, easing
concerns about flash floods, but confirming those reservoirs are running

(02:12):
on last week's rain rather than new storm. Water humidity
remains high, UV levels are strong, and the city is
enjoying about eight hours of bright sunshine daily. While the
start of September was notably mucky, things dried up quickly
in the third week, with only pulses of rain on
the twenty fourth and twenty fifth, totaling around two point

(02:32):
five millimeters. Severe weather hasn't threatened drinking water, which continues
to be safe and reliably supplied for the city. Boating
and recreational water access were unaffected, though Labor Day saw
fewer incidents but arise in boating fatalities as reported by
Texas Parks and Wildlife. In short, Austin's water supply is

(02:53):
in a sweet spot. Enough rain to boost lake levels,
reduced watering restrictions, but steady conc servation guidelines to keep
everyone honest. Drink up Austin, but make every drop count
as the city keeps planning for tomorrow's growth and challenges.
Thanks for tuning in and remember to subscribe. This has
been a quiet Please production. For more checkout Quiet please

(03:15):
dot ai and that is it for today. Hit the
subscribe button and never miss a drop of news. Thanks
for listening,