New watering restrictions take effect August 15

AUSTIN – (Austin)—The combined storage level of water in Lakes Travis and Buchanan is projected to drop below 900,000 acre-feet within the next few days. Austin’s Drought Contingency Plan identifies this as the point at which Stage 2 water conservation measures should be enacted. To give the community advance notice that these new restrictions are coming, and consistent with the City’s Water Conservation Code, Interim City Manager Jesus Garza has ordered implementation of Stage 2 watering restrictions to be effective and enforceable, beginning on August 15, 2023.

“For many years, Austin has leaned into water conservation in normal weather as well as drought,” said Austin Water Director Shay Ralls Roalson. “As our current drought continues, we know that the entire Austin community will respond to the need to conserve our most precious resource. We’re all in this together, and there is no substitute for water.”

Stage 2 Watering Restrictions Summary

• Automatic irrigation and hose-end watering is restricted to one day per week.
• Automatic irrigation runtime is reduced by 3 hours with cutoff at 5 a.m. instead of 8 a.m.
• Water waste is prohibited.
• Restaurants may serve water only upon request.
• Charity car washes are prohibited, and home car washing must use an auto-shut-off valve or a bucket.
• Patio misters at commercial properties, including restaurants and bars, may operate only between 4 p.m. and midnight.
• Large ornamental fountains can no longer be operated.
• New landscape-establishment irrigation is no longer exempt from the watering schedule.

Austin Water will continue its investigations of reported non-compliance received via Austin 3-1-1 and water waste patrols. To report a violation, call 3-1-1 or use the 3-1-1 mobile app.

For complete details about the Austin Water drought response, visit austinwater.org.

Shady Hollow MUD is changing the way we bill for wastewater. Your wastewater charges moving forward will be based on the average amount of water used in the preceding months of December, January and February. This type of billing is commonly referred to as winter averaging and is common in the water utility industry. Prior to this change, Shady Hollow MUD used a flat rate billing method where all customers paid the same amount.

The new wastewater charges are as follows:

The Enclave at Shady Hollow and Shady Hollow West are out of district customers.

Estates of Shady Hollow wastewater charges will be based on Shady Hollow average winter water usage.

For customers whose winter average water use is greater than 10,000 gallons per month billing will be based on a 10,000 gallon per usage. This “cap” will remain in effect for the first year of the new billing method to give large water users an opportunity to adapt.

Examples for an in-district customer:

Your usage is 1,500 gallons, your wastewater bill will be $60.00

Your usage is 5,000 gallons’ your wastewater bill will be $84.00

Your usage is 10,000 gallons or more, your wastewater bill will be $124.00

Shady Hollow residents welcome back to the Municipal Utility District (MUD). There have been questions about billing and setting up accounts.

Shady Hollow MUD received your billing and contact information from the City of Austin during the transfer so you will not need to setup a new account. If you were a previous MUD customer, you will be issued your previous account number. If you moved into Shady Hollow after April 2018, a new account number will be issued.

Online payment through the Payclix account will be permissible after you receive your first bill. You can complete the process as described on http://www.shmud.org/water/.

Shady Hollow MUD does not have a local office so bills will need to be mailed or paid online. Payments will not be accepted at the Shady Hollow HOA drop box or office.

If any more questions, utilize the contact form at http://www.shmud.org/contact/. You can also reach out to us at

Why?

Using water more efficiently will not only save money but, more importantly, will also help protect the quality of life of future Texans.

With the vastness of Texas, it’s easy to forget two important facts about our state: we are subject to frequent droughts, and our population is projected to double in the next 50 years. The cost of developing new or additional supplies in that same time period is estimated to be $30.7 billion.

To ensure that we have enough water for current and future Texans, we need to reduce the amount of water we waste.

Possible Water Savings

• High-efficiency toilets, water-efficient washing machines, rainwater harvesting systems, and water-efficient landscaping can all help reduce water use.
• A low-flush toilet (or low-flow toilet or high efficiency toilet) is a flush toilet that uses significantly less water than a full-flush toilet. Low flush toilets include single-flush models and dual-flush toilets, which typically use 1.6 US gallons per flush for the full flush and 1.28 US gallons for a reduced flush.
• Water-efficient showerheads and aerators for faucets can significantly reduce the amount of water you use. In fact, installing a water-efficient showerhead is one of the most effective water-saving steps you can take inside your house.
• Leaking faucets and toilets can waste thousands of gallons of water monthly, and they are inexpensive to fix. A few small changes in your water use habits can make a huge difference in water savings.

Tips in the Bathroom

• Replace your showerhead with a water-efficient model.
• Take short showers.
• Turn off the water while you are shaving. Fill the sink with hot water instead of letting the water run continuously.
• Never use the toilet to dispose of trash.
• Don’t waste water when brushing your teeth or washing your hands. Shut off the water until it’s time to rinse.

Tips in the Kitchen

• Run the dishwasher only when full.
• Install faucet aerators. You’ll never notice the difference, and you’ll cut your sink water consumption in half!
• Keep a container of water in the refrigerator. It will be refreshingly cool and won’t waste water.
• Dry scrape dishes instead of rinsing. Your dishwasher will take care of the rest.
• Use garbage disposals sparingly. They can waste water unnecessarily.

• Conventional washing machines use 32 to 59 gallons of water per load. Use the lowest water level setting on the washing machine for light or partial loads whenever possible.
• Use cold water as often as possible to save energy and conserve hot water for uses that cold water cannot serve.