The city of San Marcos increased its drought restrictions to Stage 2 effective noon Sunday as drought conditions continue across Central Texas.
The heightened water restrictions come just a few weeks after the city enacted Stage 1 restrictions April 4. Director of Public Services Tom Taggart is urging residents to conserve water because more restrictions could be implemented if drought conditions worsen.
The city enacts Stage 2 drought restrictions when the Edwards Aquifer 10-day average index well level falls below 650 feet above mean sea level. The city said on Wednesday, the 10-day average was at 649.3 feet and the daily reading was 647.8 feet. The U.S. Weather Service reported Friday that the aquifer is nearly 20 feet below historical April average values.
“Aquifer levels are dropping very rapidly at a rate of about one-half to one foot per day,” Taggart said in a statement. “We just entered Stage 1 three weeks ago. At this rate, we could easily reach Stage 3 restrictions in just a few weeks, so it’s imperative that we do all we can to conserve our water resources.”
The restrictions come as portions of Hays, Caldwell and Bastrop counties are under severe drought, according to the latest report from the Texas Water Development Board. Travis County and Williams County are under moderate drought.
More: Welcome shot of rain coming Friday, forecasters say, but drought conditions likely to worsen
On Friday, the U.S. Weather Service said continued drought conditions have expanded over the last month across South and Central Texas as rainfall events have been generally scattered and light. Lakes and reservoir levels also continue to trend lower, it said.
Residents in San Marcos are being asked to follow a number of rules including new restrictions related to drip irrigation, soaker hoses, and decorative water features. Many of the restrictions were already enacted in Stage 1.
Residents will have designated dates by address for sprinkler use. They can also use hose-end sprinklers for irrigation on their designated watering weekday before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m. Automatic irrigation systems can be used on residents' designated weekday beginning at 8 p.m. and ending the following morning at 8 a.m. Soaker hoses or drip irrigation is allowed any day before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m. Residents can also hand water any day and at any time.
Residents are limited to one day a week for at-home car washing, washing of impervious surfaces and foundation watering. The restrictions also ban filling new decorative water features such as fountains.
Drought conditions have intensified across Texas, and data released last week by the U.S. Drought Monitor, show 92% of the state is experiencing some level of drought, including most of Central Texas. By comparison, this time last year 24.8% of the state was affected by drought.
Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday put resources on standby because of the potential for extreme fire danger in West Texas due to dry conditions. The National Weather Service on Saturday issued a hazardous weather outlook for South Central Texas due to elevated fire weather conditions for the Rio Grande area and Winter Garden region.
The Link LonkApril 25, 2021 at 07:08AM
https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2021/04/24/san-marcos-enacts-stage-two-drought-restrictions-central-texas-still-dry/7370276002/
San Marcos enacts Stage Two drought restrictions as Central Texas remains dry - Austin American-Statesman
https://news.google.com/search?q=dry&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
No comments:
Post a Comment