People in parts of western Travis County and northern Hays County are being asked to conserve water.

The Lower Colorado River Authority is asking customers of the West Travis County Regional Water System to cut back after an equipment problem.

“We are asking all customers to eliminate non-essential water use immediately to help ensure enough water for essential uses until the repair can be made later this evening,” Emlea Chanslor, LCRA spokesperson said in a news release.

The affected area includes residents in Bee Cave and other communities along Texas 71 and RR 620; and Dripping Springs, along with developments on US 290.

Businesses and residents are asked to turn off their irrigation systems now and stop outdoor use -- as well as minimize all water use as much as possible.

LCRA officials say around noon Monday, contractors working on an expansion of the system inadvertently cut an underground electrical cable that services the raw water intake pumps. That means water cannot be delivered to the water treatment plant, which is near the intersection of Texas 71 and Bee Caves Road. There were no injuries involved when the electrical cable was cut.

Water storage tanks contain enough water to supply customers into Monday night. LCRA officials expect repairs to require more than 10 hours; customers could experience water shortages starting Monday evening or early Tuesday morning if customers do not cut back on water use or if repairs require more time.

For more information, area residents may visit the Web site at www.lcra.org or call LCRA customer service at (512) 397-6766.