Cedar Park Implements Stage 3 Water Restrictions
Cedar Park residents woke up to stricter water conservation measures in 2025 as the city moved to Stage 3 water restrictions. These new rules limit outdoor watering to just one day per week, marking the most stringent conservation measures the community has seen in years.
If you’re wondering what these changes mean for your daily routine and lawn care schedule, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about Cedar Park’s new water restrictions and how to adapt effectively.
Why Cedar Park Enacted Stage 3 Water Restrictions
The decision to implement Stage 3 restrictions didn’t happen overnight. Cedar Park officials made this move due to several critical factors affecting the region’s water supply.
Declining Lake Levels
Lake Travis, Cedar Park’s sole water source, has experienced significantly low water levels throughout 2025. The combined storage of Lakes Travis and Buchanan dropped below 1.1 million acre-feet, triggering automatic conservation protocols established by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA).
Prolonged Dry Conditions
Extended periods of dry weather have strained the regional water system. The prior three months of water inflows fell below the 25th percentile of historic inflows for that same period, indicating a severe shortage that required immediate action.
Regional Water Management
The LCRA, which manages the area’s water supply, called for a 20% reduction in overall water consumption. This mandate affects not just Cedar Park but multiple communities that rely on the Highland Lakes system for their water needs.
Understanding the New Watering Schedule
Stage 3 restrictions bring significant changes to when and how Cedar Park residents can water their outdoor spaces. The city has moved from a two-day-per-week system to a single designated day based on address numbers.
Residential Watering Days
Your watering day depends on the last digit of your address:
- Wednesday: Addresses ending in 1 or 3
- Thursday: Addresses ending in 4, 6, or 8
- Saturday: Addresses ending in 5, 7, or 9
- Sunday: Addresses ending in 0 or 2
Watering Hours Remain Restricted
Regardless of your designated day, you can only water between specific hours:
- Before 10:00 a.m.
- After 7:00 p.m.
These time restrictions help minimize water loss through evaporation during the hottest parts of the day.
Commercial Property Rules
All commercial properties, including apartments and HOA-owned common areas, must water exclusively on Tuesdays. This consolidated schedule helps the city’s water utility manage demand more effectively.
Nobody can water outdoors on Mondays or Fridays. These “recovery days” allow the water system to rebuild pressure and perform necessary maintenance.
What’s Still Allowed Under Stage 3
Despite the stricter regulations, Cedar Park residents can still maintain their landscapes and handle essential water needs. The city permits several activities that don’t violate conservation measures.
Hand Watering Options
You can use handheld buckets or watering pails for targeted plant care. Hand watering with a hose is also permitted, but only if you use a positive pistol grip nozzle or similar device that automatically stops water flow when not actively in use.
Efficient Irrigation Systems
Drip irrigation systems and soaker hoses remain unrestricted because they deliver water directly to plant roots with minimal waste. These efficient methods actually help your garden thrive while using less water overall.
Vehicle Washing Guidelines
You can still wash your car at commercial car washes or at home using a handheld hose with an automatic shutoff nozzle. This ensures you’re not wasting water while maintaining your vehicle.
Pool and Recreation Use
Residential pool filling continues to be allowed, as does the operation of public pools, splash pads, and HOA community pools. Recreational sprinkler devices like slip-and-slides are permitted if placed on lawns to prevent water waste.
Activities That Are Now Prohibited
Stage 3 restrictions prohibit several activities that contribute to water waste or create unnecessary demand on the system.
Water Waste in Any Form
The city defines water waste broadly, including broken or misdirected sprinkler heads, excessive runoff that creates standing water, and any controllable leaks on your property.
Off-Schedule Watering
Watering on days other than your designated day results in violations, regardless of the amount of water used or the method employed.
Inefficient Pressure Washing
While pressure washing is still allowed, commercial cosmetic pressure washing equipment must use no more than 3.5 gallons per minute and include a working trigger shutoff with protective weep mechanism.
Financial Impact: Temporary Rate Adjustment
Cedar Park implemented a temporary water conservation rate adjustment alongside the Stage 3 restrictions. This pricing change serves two purposes: encouraging conservation through higher costs and maintaining adequate funding for water utility operations.
The rate adjustment took effect March 31, 2025, with increases appearing on utility bills starting mid-May. The city removed this temporary adjustment in July 2025 when restrictions were relaxed to Stage 2, allowing two days per week of watering.
Smart Water Conservation Tips for Cedar Park Residents
Adapting to Stage 3 restrictions doesn’t mean sacrificing your landscape. These practical strategies help you maintain healthy outdoor spaces while respecting conservation measures.
Reprogram Your Irrigation System
If you have an automatic sprinkler system, reprogramming it for your new watering day is essential. The city provides instructional videos at waterthriftycedarpark.org to guide you through this process for various system brands.
Focus on Deep, Infrequent Watering
Since you can only water once per week, make each session count. Water deeply to encourage root systems to grow deeper, making plants more drought-resistant over time.
Mulch Your Garden Beds
Apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch around trees, shrubs, and flower beds. Mulch reduces evaporation, keeps soil cooler, and helps retain moisture between watering days.
Choose Native and Drought-Tolerant Plants
Consider replacing water-hungry grass and plants with native Texas species that naturally require less irrigation. These plants thrive in local conditions while reducing your overall water needs.
Monitor Your Water Usage
Cedar Park offers digital water metering tools that let residents track their usage in near-real-time. Sign up at waterthriftycedarpark.org to set usage thresholds and receive alerts when consumption exceeds normal patterns.
Collect Rainwater
Install rain barrels or cisterns to capture precipitation for later use. A typical 2,000-square-foot home in Central Texas can collect almost 40,000 gallons of rainwater during an average year.
Enforcement and Compliance
Cedar Park officials provided a grace period when Stage 3 restrictions first took effect, allowing residents time to adjust their irrigation systems and reduce consumption. However, enforcement began March 31, 2025, with penalties for violations.
The city monitors compliance through various methods, including resident reports and water usage pattern analysis. Violating water restrictions can result in fines and, in extreme cases, water service interruption.
Looking Ahead: When Will Restrictions Change?
Water restriction levels in Cedar Park depend on lake levels and regional water supply conditions. The city returned to Stage 2 restrictions (two days per week) in July 2025 as conditions improved, demonstrating that conservation efforts can make a real difference.
Residents should stay informed about current restriction levels through the city’s official communications, as conditions can change based on rainfall, lake levels, and regional water management decisions.
Take Action: Resources and Next Steps
Navigating water restrictions becomes easier when you have the right resources and tools. Cedar Park provides comprehensive support to help residents succeed with conservation efforts.
Start by visiting the City of Cedar Park’s Water Thrifty website. This resource offers irrigation system programming videos, real-time water usage monitoring tools, rebate information for water-efficient landscaping, and current updates on restriction levels.
Consider scheduling a water conservation consultation to identify specific opportunities for reducing consumption on your property. Many local companies specialize in efficient irrigation design and drought-tolerant landscaping that can help you maintain beautiful outdoor spaces while meeting conservation goals.
Sign up for the city’s digital water metering system to track your usage patterns and receive alerts when consumption spikes. This proactive approach helps you catch leaks early and adjust your watering habits based on actual data.
Cedar Park’s Stage 3 water restrictions represent a community-wide effort to protect our shared water resources during challenging conditions. By understanding the rules, implementing smart conservation practices, and staying informed about changing conditions, residents can successfully navigate these restrictions while maintaining the landscapes they love.
Ready to become a water-wise Cedar Park resident? Visit Cedar Park’s Water Thrifty today for irrigation programming guides, usage monitoring tools, and the latest updates on water restrictions in your area.