Water

Central Texas cities may start relying on neighbors for water as demand continues to grow and water levels remain low.

The water district, which covers Steiner Ranch and surrounding neighborhoods near Lake Austin, says customers who lost water should get in compliance with the rules as soon as possible.

Drought and water scarcity in Wimberley have claimed a second victim. First, it was Jacob's Well, and now Blue Hole's water levels are two feet below the normal level.

Austin has entered Stage 2 water restrictions. They will impact lawn and landscape watering, when you get a glass of water at a restaurant and how people wash their cars, among other things.

David Baker, executive director of The Watershed Association, a nonprofit conservation group, says this is the worst he's seen the well in over three decades.

About 35% of City of Georgetown water customers remain prohibited from using outdoor irrigation systems and hose-end sprinklers.

Georgetown said the temporary measure was "critical" to keeping the water supply safe.

The boil water notice affected millions of Texans and led to a two-day shutdown of area schools and disrupted local business. Water experts say the incident should direct cities to look at their own water containment equipment and consider possible upgrades.

City officials are deciding where to store about three Lake Austin’s worth of water underground. They'll meet with residents in Lee, Bastrop and Travis counties this week to discuss the proposed aquifer storage and recovery project.

As Texas continues to battle drought, groups are trying a market-based solution to help farmers and protect what little water is left.