Submitted to the Wimberley View, March 2, 2015
Western Hays County, the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (District) Board of Directors will be taking action to review and approve Board Order 175, Return to Drought Stage Alarm. Drought trigger conditions have met the criteria of 60 consecutive days of flow above stage Critical. The District’s triggers, the Pedernales and Blanco Rivers, are monitored by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) who collect and distribute data using satellite technology. The drought trigger data can be reviewed on the District’s website www.haysgroundwater.com under Drought Management.
The District currently has 67 Non-Exempt permit holders within its boundaries. All permit holders are mandated by District Rule to reduce their groundwater production during Board declared drought conditions. The District has been within drought stage Critical ,with a 30% reduction, since May 1, 2014. Starting on March 1, 2015, all Non-Exempt permit holders are required to follow stage Alarm, with a 20% reduction. The District office notified all of its permit holders on March 2, 2015 of this new drought update. Please contact your local water supplier with questions concerning water restrictions and cutbacks.
Though our area is experiencing a late Winter blast, we will all feel that familiar Summer heat upon us soon enough. The District asks that all residents of Western Hays County continue to help our local Trinity Aquifer by reducing personal water usage. If you are currently using groundwater for your business, in any fashion other than agricultural use, you are required by Legislation to have an operating permit with the District. Operating permit applications can be completed and submitted on-line on the District’s website under Forms.
Rick Broun-HTGCD General Manager
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