AUSTIN -- More Central Texas cities are going deeper into watering restrictions.
Round Rock water customers went into Stage 2 restrictions on Aug. 16. Cedar Park followed, implementing Stage 2 restrictions on Aug. 25. Pflugerville customers enter Stage 2 on Monday, Aug. 29. For customers in those cities, sprinkler or automatic watering is limited to twice a week.
Austin Water customers enter Stage 2 restrictions on Sept. 6. In Austin, watering is limited to once a week at the Stage 2 level.
At The New Nursery off FM 1325 in Williamson County, people are asking for help.
“All day, every day,” said Seth Spannaus. “People spent thousands and thousands of dollars on their plant material. We're just trying to help them keep it alive and buy the right material."
The New Nursery says it has taken a hit over the hot, dry summer. People are not buying because they cannot plant. The nursery hopes to rebuild sales once the temperatures drop in the Fall.
They recommend people take a proactive step, planting the drought resistance plants instead of tropical choices.
“Right now the biggest problem is people are wanting the colorful, the beautiful, big vibrant plants and you can't always get that in this kind of climate, Spannaus said. "So what we're doing is we're pushing the agaves, the yuccas, the cactus and stuff like that."
Experts say Central Texas will need numerous heavy rains before lake levels are back in a healthy range. Currently, Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan combined are below 45 percent capacity.
