The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BS/EACD) has declared Stage II Alarm Drought, effective July 12, 2018. Despite a few heavy rain events during the first half of the year, Travis county has been experiencing below average year-to-date rainfall in 2018. If residents in the Village and in surrounding cities continue to use water at customary levels, drought conditions will become more severe and will hasten the onset of Critical Stage Drought. Water conservation now will help slow water level declines and protect water availability.
The Village must take steps to ensure that residents meet the water use reductions required by BS/EACD. During Stage II Alarm Drought, BS/EACD requires a mandatory minimum 20% reduction in monthly water use. If residents pump in excess of this target, it will only be a matter of time before BS/EACD imposes fines on the Village for exceeding our permitted monthly pumpage, and that cost will be passed on to residents. Water usage will continue to be billed according to the Conservation Rate Structure (copy available upon request). Please note below the required actions of the User Drought Contingency Plan for Stage II Alarm Drought, adopted by the Village on November 19, 2009:
User Mandatory Actions:
- Maximum allowable monthly consumption of the greater of 12,000 gallons/connection or 4,000 gallons/capita (per person).
- Irrigation with hose-end sprinklers and automatic irrigation systems shall be permitted in accordance with a 5-day watering schedule and only before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
- Irrigation by means of soaker hoses or drip irrigation shall be permitted at any time on designated watering days.
- Irrigation by means of a hand-held hose with an automatic shutoff device or faucet-filled bucket or watering can of five (5) gallons or less shall be permitted on any day before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
- Use of soaker hoses for foundation protection shall be limited to designated watering days
- Vehicle washing shall be prohibited except when conducted with a bucket or hand-held hose with an automatic shutoff device during designated watering days and times (if possible, use a commercial car wash that recycles water).
- Filling or refilling of pools is prohibited. Topping off of existing pools for essential maintenance purposes is permitted only during designated watering days and times.
- Operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes is prohibited except where necessary to support aquatic life or where such fountains or ponds are equipped with a recirculation system.
The following uses of water are defined as nonessential and are prohibited:
- wash down of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced areas;
- use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection;
- use of water for dust control;
- flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any gutter or street;
- failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leak(s); and
- any waste of water.
Without substantial rain and conservative water use as we approach summer, it is likely that the Aquifer District will declare Stage III Critical Drought, returning to more severe restrictions, including eventual banning of all outdoor water use. The Village is fortunate to have installed the interconnection with the City of Austin for purchase of wholesale water, but, in order to keep costs down, only 30% or less of our water will continue to be purchased from Austin. Please remember that this alternate water supply is expensive and does not allow for unlimited water usage.
With everyone working together to preserve the water in our aquifer until we receive significant rainfall, we may be able to prevent some of the serious consequences of overusing this precious natural resource. Thank you in advance for all of your efforts to conserve. For further information regarding the status of the aquifer, please visit BS/EACD’s Web site at www.bseacd.org/aquifer-science/drought-status/ or call their office at (512) 282-8441.
For all other inquiries, please feel free to contact the office at 512-280-3898 or village@sanleannatx.com.
