The City of Georgetown has announced effective immediately that water utility customers should not water lawns or landscapes during the heat of the day, defined as noon to 7 p.m., due to a drought watch for Lake Georgetown.
In addition, Georgetown water utility customers need to follow the two-day watering schedule and refrain from watering their lawns on Mondays. The year-round, two-day per week irrigation schedule is based on the last digit of the street address. The watering schedule can be seen below and is also posted onlineIrrigation is not permitted on Mondays, because Mondays are a maintenance and recovery day for the water system.
Violations of the irrigation schedule and watering during the heat of the day may result in fines. Officials say the city is not running out of water but says that conservation during the hottest and driest parts of the year helps ensure availability for all who need it. It also helps ensure adequate water supply during the hotter summer months.
During the summer months, officials say 75% 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. Officials say 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 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.
Georgetown has several ongoing water utility expansion projects to help meet the needs of its growing population. This includes the expansion of the North Lake Water Treatment Plant, which is expected to be completed in summer 2023, and the construction of a South Lake Water Treatment Plant, which should be operational in 2025.