Trying to keep your landscape alive while sticking to once-per-week watering rules can feel impossible. You want to protect your investment, avoid fines, and still enjoy a healthy yard in The Hills. The good news is that smart irrigation can help you do all three without wasting water. This guide gives you clear, local steps to stay compliant and keep your landscape thriving. Let’s dive in.
Know your water provider and rules
The Hills is served by overlapping utilities, so start by confirming who provides water to your address. Portions of the Village of The Hills are historically served by Hurst Creek MUD, while nearby areas use Lakeway Municipal Utility District (LMUD). You can confirm local governance and service areas through community directories for The Hills. Review local utility context here.
Regional drought stages come from the Lower Colorado River Authority, which manages Lakes Buchanan and Travis. In early 2025, LCRA moved to Stage 2 as lake storage dropped, and local districts followed with once-per-week watering. After heavy summer rains, some providers returned to Stage 1 or Conservation. Stages can change as lake levels fluctuate, so always check your provider’s current guidance. Read LCRA-related context and updates. For example, LMUD implemented Stage 2 on March 1, 2025.
Rules and exemptions vary by district. Hand-watering, drip for trees, or soaker hoses may be allowed in lower stages but restricted in higher stages. Review your provider’s drought plan for permitted methods and hours. LCRA’s landscape guidance explains common best practices and how exemptions are treated locally. See LCRA landscape guidelines. Penalties and drought rate structures also differ by utility. LMUD, for instance, has a drought-rate structure during certain stages. See LMUD budget context. If you need Hurst Creek MUD contact info, see the local listing for assistance. Find Hurst Creek MUD contact details.
Why smart irrigation is your edge
Smart irrigation helps you stay within limited watering schedules while protecting plant health. WaterSense-labeled controllers use local weather or soil moisture to adjust run times automatically. According to EPA WaterSense, these controllers can significantly reduce outdoor water use compared to manual timers. Learn how WaterSense watering works.
Efficient hardware makes a big difference:
- Soil moisture sensors stop watering when the root zone is already wet.
- Rain shutoff devices pause schedules during or after rain.
- Flow sensors and master valves catch leaks fast and prevent waste.
- Pressure-regulating heads reduce overspray and runoff.
- Drip and bubblers deliver water directly to roots for higher efficiency.
Many modern controllers also support cycle and soak, which breaks watering into short cycles with soak periods. This prevents runoff and improves infiltration on slopes and in clay soils common around the Hill Country. See a controller example with cycle-and-soak features.
You may be eligible for rebates on smart controllers, sensors, and turf-to-bed conversions through LCRA’s WaterSmart program or your retail provider if it participates. Funding and eligibility can change, so verify current terms before you buy. Explore LCRA WaterSmart rebates.
Program your system for once-per-week
Turf: deep, infrequent watering
Most warm-season Texas grasses can handle limited watering by going partially dormant in peak summer. Aim for one deep soak per week during restrictions, and use your controller’s seasonal adjustments to match weather. EPA WaterSense recommends tuning run times to your soil and sprinkler type, then measuring how much water your zones deliver. Review WaterSense tips. Use cycle and soak to avoid runoff and improve penetration.
Beds and drip
Convert spray zones in planting beds to drip where possible. Drip targets the root zone, reduces evaporation, and often delivers better results on limited schedules. Input accurate zone details in your controller, including plant type and soil, so it can adjust run times properly.
Trees and shrubs
New trees typically need focused watering for the first 1 to 3 years. Many districts allow hand-watering, bubblers, or localized drip for trees, even in stricter stages, though rules vary by provider. Mulch around trees to reduce evaporation and encourage deep, infrequent soaking after establishment. See LCRA’s landscape guidance.
Vegetable gardens
Some utilities permit hand-watering or soaker hoses for edibles during drought restrictions. Confirm what your provider allows, then schedule watering during the cooler permitted hours to reduce loss to evaporation.
A quick upgrade plan that works in The Hills
- Confirm your water provider and current stage. Check the district website and posted schedule by address.
- Fix leaks first. A flow sensor or a simple meter check can uncover silent water loss.
- Install a WaterSense-labeled controller. Connect rain and soil sensors and enable cycle and soak.
- Regulate pressure and match precipitation rates. Swap out high-spray heads for pressure-regulating nozzles and add check valves where needed.
- Convert high-use beds to drip. Use mulch and right-sized emitters to reach roots efficiently.
- Consider turf reduction where it is mostly aesthetic. Look into approved conversions and available rebates. Review current LCRA rebate options.
DIY or hire a pro?
Licensed irrigation contractors know local rules and how to program systems for compliance. If you plan to apply for rebates, a pro may be required for certain upgrades or audits. EPA WaterSense also recommends certified irrigation professionals for design and efficiency checks. Read WaterSense guidance.
Buying or selling in The Hills?
Smart, compliant irrigation helps you protect your landscape and avoid surprises when it is time to move. If you are planning a sale, simple upgrades like a smart controller, pressure regulation, and a fresh audit can reassure buyers that the system is efficient and within local rules. If you are buying, ask for the controller model, irrigation map, and recent water bills so you know how the system performs in drought seasons.
When you are ready to make a move in The Hills or nearby Lake Travis communities, connect with our local team for clear guidance and trusted vendor referrals. Reach out to Bonnie Altrudo to start a conversation.
FAQs
Who enforces watering rules in The Hills?
- Your retail water provider (MUD or city) enforces restrictions, and penalties can include warnings, fines, drought-rate surcharges, or flow restrictions depending on the district.
Are drip systems and hand-watering allowed during Stage 2?
- It depends on your provider’s drought plan; some allow hand-watering, soaker hoses, or drip in lower stages, while exemptions can narrow in higher stages.
What is a WaterSense smart controller?
- It is a controller that adjusts watering based on weather or soil moisture to avoid waste and help you stay within limited-day schedules.
How do I water trees under restrictions?
- Use permitted methods like hand-watering, bubblers, or localized drip for establishment, then switch to deep, infrequent watering with mulch once trees are established.
Where can I check drought stage updates for Lake Travis?
- Look for LCRA announcements about lake storage and drought stages, then confirm how your specific utility applies those rules to local schedules.
Are there rebates for smart irrigation near The Hills?
- Many customers of LCRA or its wholesale providers can apply for WaterSmart rebates on eligible equipment and audits, subject to funding and program rules.
