AUSTIN, Texas _ City leaders say Austin Water is producing more water than it's using, allowing reservoirs that were draining faster than they could be replenished to begin filling again.
Austin Water issued an emergency call to residents on Monday afternoon, urging everyone to cut personal water consumption by 15 to 20 percent to keep water reservoirs for running dry.
"The good news is that you heard us and it is working," City Manager Spencer Cronk said.
Austin Water Director Greg Meszaros said all three of the utility's water treatment plants are running, but they are operating at only a third of their normal production capacity.
Even at that deficit, the city isn't upside down on water production anymore, officials said.
Mayor Steve Adler joined others in saying that while the city is headed in the right direction, it is still critical for people to continue to conserve water in any way they can.
"The more people conserve the sooner we are going to get out of this situation that we are in," he said.
Officials say they expect the problem to persist for days, not weeks, and that earlier reports from Travis County officials that Austin could be in for up to 14 days without water weren't correct.
Adler also said that there is no water shortage in Austin, just a lack of space. He said stores that run out of water will be restocked, and those who can't find any today will likely be able to pick some up Wednesday.
