Water Use Rules in Austin, TX (2026)
3 verified water use rules for Austin, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Turf Replacement Rebates
Austin Water's WaterWise Landscape Rebate, administered by the Conservation Division, pays residential and commercial customers per square foot of high-water turf converted to drought-tolerant landscape, supporting drought-stage compliance and the One Water Plan.
Austin Water WaterWise Rebate Pays Cash Per Square Foot
Few RestrictionsTex. Prop. Code Sec. 202.007(a)(4), (b), (c)
Sec. 202.007. (a) A property owners' association may not include or enforce a provision in a dedicatory instrument that prohibits or restricts a property owner from: ... (4) using drought-resistant landscaping or water-conserving natural turf. (b) A provision that violates Subsection (a) is void. (c) A property owners' association may restrict the type of turf used by a property owner in the pl...
Recycled Water Rules
Austin Water may extend reclaimed water service to any property in its service area under Sec. 25-9-383, but service is discretionary: the utility can refuse a connection if it would harm the potable water system, wastewater supply is inadequate, fees are unpaid, or the proposed use is inappropriate for reclaimed water.
Austin Reclaimed Water Service Rules
Some RestrictionsAustin City Code Sec. 25-9-383
(A)The director of the Water and Wastewater Utility may make reclaimed water available to properties within the service area as the Utility extends the reclaimed water distribution system(B)The director of the Water and Wastewater Utility shall prescribe design requirements for reclaimed water facilities, the manner of construction, the method of operation, and conditions of service.(C)The dire...
Leak Reporting Duty
Austin City Code Sec. 6-4-12 treats an unrepaired controllable leak, a broken sprinkler head, drip line, pipe or valve, as prohibited water waste. Austin Water enforces the rule against anyone using its potable water, with penalties running through administrative hearings, civil suit, or Municipal Court citations under Sec. 6-4-51 and Sec. 6-4-52.
Austin Duty to Repair Water Leaks
Some RestrictionsAustin City Code Sec. 6-4-12(B)(1)
§ 6-4-12 - WATER WASTE PROHIBITED. (A)The section prohibits the waste of water.(B)A person may not:(1)fail to repair a controllable leak, including a broken sprinkler head, a broken drip irrigation line, a broken pipe or a leaking valve;(2)operate an irrigation system with:(a)a broken head;(b)a head that is out of adjustment and the arc of the spray head is over a street, parking area, or other...
Looking for Travis County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Austin city rules.
Water Use Rules in Travis County →