Water restrictions easing in some areas

AUSTIN (KXAN) - With recent rains, cities and utility districts are beginning to lift water restrictions in some Central Texas towns.

Round Rock, San Marcos and the Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District have all lifted restrictions, which means residents are allowed to water any day of the week, though city officials there are still calling for voluntary restrictions.

Georgetown city officials were considering lifting the restrictions as well.

City spokesman Keith Hutchinson said the city would make a final decision Monday afternoon.

Austin, Leander, Cedar Park and Pflugerville however, remain under stage two water restrictions, following the Lower Colorado River Authority's guidelines.

Water levels are so dire on Lake Travis and the Highland Lakes, LCRA staff recommended a moratorium on any new water customers because of the drought.

“This is not just another drought. We think it could be the worst drought our region has ever faced,” said LCRA General Manager Tom Mason in a release. “Every water user in the lower Colorado River basin has been affected by this serious drought and will continue to be affected. Everyone will have to make sacrifices and change how they use water.”

In Austin, Stage 2 watering restrictions went into place Aug. 24, meaning that odd numbered addresses can water on Saturdays before 10 a.m. and even numbered houses can water on Sundays before 10 a.m.

Lake Travis, which holds water for LCRA's customers in Central Texas, rose 6-feet from the rain received last week.

But Lake Travis is still about 22 feet below its monthly average.

Meanwhile Lake Georgetown, which feeds water systems in Round Rock, Georgetown, and the Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District rose significantly.

Last Wednesday, Lake Georgetown sat at 775 feet. Monday morning, the lake had risen to its full mark of 791 feet.

Below is a map of all the water restrictions around Central Texas: