Austin Eases Water Restrictions After Heavy Rainfall; Truckee Meadows Urges Temporary Outdoor Water Cuts

Following heavy rainfall in July that substantially replenished the Highland Lakes, Austin city officials are easing water use restrictions by moving from stage two drought restrictions to a baseline conservation stage. This shift allows for increased lawn irrigation frequency, including the use of automatic sprinkler systems once a week on designated days, while certain restrictions such as limited restaurant water service and commercial water use efficiency programs remain in place. Austin Water emphasizes that while the water supply outlook is positive, residents should continue conserving water as future droughts are still possible. The Highland Lakes are now nearly 95% full, providing a stable water supply for at least the next several months. In contrast, the Truckee Meadows Water Authority, after recent thunderstorms stirred sediment in the Truckee River, has temporarily reduced outdoor water use and shut down some water intake capacity to protect water quality. Customers in the Truckee Meadows area are asked to cut back on outdoor watering until river conditions improve, though indoor water use and drinking water quality remain unaffected.