TL;DR
Water Rules: Austin remains in Conservation Stage. The mandatory rule is one-day-per-week watering for automatic sprinklers.
Affordable Housing: The city has approved $46.1 million in funding to build and preserve 728 income-restricted rental units across Austin.
Give Feedback: You have until Oct 10 to comment on near-term transportation projects and until Oct 19 to choose your preferred redesign for East 6th Street.
TODAY’S FOCUS (LEAD STORY)
Austin Water: Conservation Stage is in effect — here’s exactly what you can (and can’t) do
The Situation: This is a clarification of Austin's water rules: the city is in Conservation Stage and has been since September 2nd. Despite some earlier reports suggesting a move to more restrictive rules, those are not in effect. Conservation is still mandatory to keep the water supply resilient, and the primary rule limits automatic irrigation to one day per week.
Key Data Points:
Watering Schedule: 1 day per week for automatic sprinklers (midnight–10 a.m. or 7 p.m.–midnight) — [Austin Water Website] ✅
Allowed Anytime: Hand-held watering and tree bubblers — [Austin Water Website] ✅
Potential Penalty: Up to $1,000 per violation — [City of Austin Code, Chapter 6-4] ✅ Civic Engagement (Do this today):
Look up your watering day and set your controller to the correct window.
Report water waste via 3-1-1 if you see obvious violations.
Get alerts and tips via the My ATX Water portal. Sources & Compliance:
City of Austin, Find Your Watering Day — [austintexas.gov/department/find-your-watering-day] ✅
Austin Water Conservation Rules Summary — [austintexas.gov/department/water-conservation] ✅ Redundancy Status: Update & Correction
THE RUNDOWN
City approves $46.1M to build/preserve 728 affordable units across 5 districts
The Situation: Based on decisions from April, May, and September meetings, the Austin Housing Finance Corporation has approved $46.1 million for 8 developments. This funding will deliver approximately 728 income-restricted rentals for households earning at or below 30-60% of the median family income, including units for seniors and those in the Continuum of Care program.
Key Data Points:
Total Funding: $46.1 Million — [AHFC Meeting Agendas] ✅
Total Units: 728 (new and preserved) — [AHFC Meeting Agendas] ✅ Civic Engagement:
Track AHFC agendas/packets for project milestones and eventually leasing timelines.
Learn about eligibility for affordable housing via the City’s Housing resources. Sources & Compliance:
AHFC Meeting Agendas (4/10/25, 5/8/25, 9/25/25) — [City of Austin Clerk Website] ✅ Redundancy Status: New
CAMPO: Public comment now open on 2025–2028 TIP amendments (through Oct 10)
The Situation: You can weigh in on proposed updates to the 2025–2028 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) via CAMPO’s online open house. These amendments influence what gets built—including roadway, transit, and safety projects in city neighborhoods—over the next four years.
Key Data Points:
Comment Deadline: October 10, 2025 — [CAMPO Public Notice] ✅ Civic Engagement:
Review the proposed project amendments and comment by Oct 10 via the CAMPO TIP online open house. Sources & Compliance:
CAMPO Transportation Improvement Program page — [campotexas.org/tip] ✅ Redundancy Status: New
Sixth Street redesign: Weigh in on three options by Oct 19
The Situation: The City is asking residents to select one of three design alternatives for E. 6th St. from Congress to I-35. The options present different trade-offs between sidewalk width, commercial loading zones, and bike/scooter lanes.
Key Data Points:
Survey Deadline: October 19, 2025 — [SpeakUp Austin] ✅ Civic Engagement:
Take the survey (with renderings) via the SpeakUpAustin Sixth Street Survey.
Tips: Call out specifics like where loading zones should go, late-night safety elements, or exact sidewalk widths. Sources & Compliance:
SpeakUp Austin: Sixth Street Redesign Survey — [speakupaustin.org/sixth-street-redesign] ✅ Redundancy Status: New
Project Connect: Apply for the Community Advisory Committee by Oct 15
The Situation: Project Connect partners are recruiting residents for the Community Advisory Committee, which focuses on anti-displacement and equity issues. Applications are open to residents of Austin and the Capital Metro service area.
Key Data Points:
Application Deadline: October 15, 2025, at 5 p.m. — [Project Connect Website] ✅ Civic Engagement:
Apply at the Project Connect Community Advisory Committee application page. Sources & Compliance:
Project Connect Website — [projectconnect.com] ✅ Redundancy Status: New
Travis County Commissioners Court meets today (Tue, Sept 30) at 9:00 a.m.
The Situation: The Travis County Commissioners Court is meeting today to make policy decisions on roads, parks, emergency services, and health programs. Public comment options are available in person or remotely.
Key Data Points:
Meeting Time: Tuesday, Sept 30 at 9:00 a.m. — [Travis County Clerk Portal] ✅ Civic Engagement:
Find the agenda, livestream link, and speaker registration at the Travis County Clerk’s meeting portal. Sources & Compliance:
Travis County Clerk's Meeting Portal — [https://www.google.com/search?q=traviscotx.portal.civicclerk.com] ✅ Redundancy Status: New
🎉 EVENTS TO CHECK OUT
🎶 Free Music Friday @ Central Machine Works
📅 Friday, Oct 3 | 7:00 p.m.
📍 4824 E Cesar Chavez St
Kick off the weekend with Adrian Quesada’s Trio Asesino in the beer garden. Grab a table, order some food, and enjoy a free outdoor show under the lights.
🔗 Event Details
🌳 ACL Music Festival (Weekend One)
📅 Fri–Sun, Oct 3–5 | Gates open 11:00 a.m.
📍 Zilker Park
Austin’s biggest festival is back: Dua Lipa, Foo Fighters, Peso Pluma, and 100+ more artists across 8 stages. Expect big crowds, local eats, and lots of lawn dancing. (Tickets required.)
🔗 Tickets & Lineup
🧘 Sunset Sweat at Republic Square
📅 Friday, Oct 3 | 6:00–7:00 p.m.
📍 422 Guadalupe St
Wind down the week with a free outdoor fitness + mindfulness class at Republic Square. Bring a mat, water bottle, and your best “Friday reset” energy.
🔗 Schedule & Info
BY THE NUMBERS
1 day per week — How often you can run automatic/manual irrigation under Austin’s Conservation Stage rules (midnight–10 a.m. or 7 p.m.–midnight). Hand-held watering is allowed any time.
THE CIVIC CALENDAR
Today — Tue, Sept 30
Travis County Commissioners Court voting session, 9:00 a.m. (agenda, backup, livestream & speaker registration via county portal).
Check your watering day and set your controller correctly (mandatory rules active).
This Week
Fri, Oct 3: The Next Stage Free Concert Series at Central Machine Works — Adrian Quesada’s Trio Asesino performs.
Fri–Sun, Oct 3–5: ACL Music Festival at Zilker Park (weekend one). (aclfestival.com)
Fri, Oct 3: Sunset Sweat at Republic Square, 6–7 p.m. (downtownaustin.com)
Next Week
Thu, Oct 9: Austin City Council regular meeting, 10:00 a.m. (speaker registration opens Oct 6).
Deadlines
Oct 10 (5 p.m.): Public comment deadline on CAMPO 2025–2028 TIP amendments.
Oct 15 (5 p.m.): Apply for Project Connect Community Advisory Committee.
Elections
For official registration, early voting, and Election Day dates in Texas, use VoteTexas.gov.
Ongoing (CapEx Central): Expect intermittent nightly I-35 closures near the MLK Bridge/15th–Manor area; check TxDOT’s CapEx Central and UT’s traffic advisories for current updates.
