Brazos River Authority: Lake Georgetown in Stage 1 Drought Watch

Lake Georgetown is in Stage 1 Drought Watch as a result of drier than normal conditions in portions of the Brazos River basin and drought trigger levels set by the Brazos River Authority’s Drought Contingency Plan.

As of March 17, 2021, Lake Georgetown was at 67 percent of full capacity, according to the authority. Williamson County is also in a moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s March 18 update. Practicing wise water use now will help to ensure adequate water supply during the hotter summer months.

City of Georgetown water utility customers should make sure they follow the two-day watering schedule for irrigation systems and hose-end sprinklers. The year-round, two-day per week irrigation schedule is based on the last digit of the street address.

The watering schedule is posted at gus.georgetown.org/water/whatsmyschedule.

Irrigation is not permitted on Mondays because they are a maintenance and recovery day for the water system. The two-day schedule spreads watering over six days each week in order to balance demand on the water system. Watering with a hand-held hose or bucket can be done any day and at any time. Other outdoor water uses like washing a vehicle or filling a swimming pool, can be done any day at any time.

Violations of the irrigation schedule may result in fines.

During the summer months, 75 percent of the drinking water treated each day in the city is used to irrigate lawns and landscapes. Following the City’s two-day watering schedule and adjusting irrigation run times can help save water and still maintain a healthy lawn.

While the City is not running out of water, conservation during the hottest and driest parts of the year helps ensure our shared resource is available for all who need it. The City also has several ongoing water utility expansion projects to help meet the needs of our growing population, including the Lake Water Treatment Plant expansion expected to be completed in summer 2023.

The best time for watering your lawn and landscape is on your watering day in the early morning hours after midnight. This allows the water to soak into the soil and reach the roots of your grass and plants. Watering during the heat of the day, especially between noon and 7 p.m., should be avoided since much of the water sprayed from sprinklers will evaporate and is wasted.

For help setting your irrigation controller, call customer care at 512-930-3640.

For more information on the Drought Contingency Plan, visit gus.georgetown.org/water/drought-information.