Taylor is now enforcing Stage 2 watering restrictions after the Brazos River Authority said usage reached 90% capacity for more than three consecutive days.
The authority is asking consumers to reduce water usage by 10%.
Violations can result in a fine of up to $500 per day for each violation.
However, the city is not running out of water, officials added.
The restriction means the city’s peak water usage during the hottest and driest part of the year is approaching the maximum amount that can be produced in a single day, officials said.
Under Stage 2 of the drought contingency plan, outdoor water use is restricted from midnight to 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight on designated water days.
Those with a street address ending in an even number can conduct outdoor watering on Sundays and Thursdays, and those with a street address ending in an odd number can water on Saturdays and Wednesdays.
Irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted at any time if done by a hand-held hose, a faucet-filled bucket or a watering can that is 5 gallons or less or a drip irrigation system.
Washing vehicles is prohibited except on designated days. Washing should be done with a handheld bucket or hose equipped with a shutoff nozzle for quick rinses.
All restaurants are also prohibited from serving water to patrons, unless requested by a diner.
Other nonessential and prohibited water uses include:
• Washing down sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts or other hard-surfaced areas
• Washing down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection • Flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street
• Failure to repair controllable leaks within a reasonable time period after receiving notice The river authority has started expansion work to increase capacity and plan for future needs, officials said.
