Officials told Community Impact the declaration will be considered at a May 14 board meeting.<\/p>\n
While recent rainfall has slowed the decline, it has not reversed the severity of the drought, said Shay Hlavaty, BSEACD communications and outreach manager. Justin Camp, a BSEACD hydrogeologist technician, said the water level at the Lovelady Monitor Well was just 5 inches above the Stage 4 threshold April 9.<\/p>\n
Hays County domestic well owners may feel drought effects more sharply as groundwater levels drop.<\/p>\n
The impact<\/p>\n
The conservation district has been in a constant drought at various stages of severity since July 2022, over 45 consecutive months. The district previously faced an eight-month drought from November 2020 until June 2021.<\/p>\n
BSEACD determines the current drought stage by examining groundwater levels at the Lovelady Monitor Well in South Austin and flow rates at Barton Springs.<\/p>\n
Groundwater levels at wells in the Edwards and Trinity aquifers throughout the district have declined similarly to those at the Lovelady Monitor Well and Barton Springs.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout 50% of Texans rely on groundwater,\u201d Hlavaty said. \u201cThroughout the Hill Country, we\u2019re seeing similar dramatic declines in groundwater. That\u2019s tons of people whose water resources are being threatened.\u201d<\/p>\n
The district determines pumpage reductions by well permit type and the active drought stage, and may enforce penalties for repeated violations. It is strongly recommended that owners implement their own conservation measures to reduce the drought\u2019s impact on them, Hlavaty said.<\/p>\n
Due to the drought-driven drop in water levels, these privately owned wells may appear to have gone dry.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat actually may be happening is that the water is just down below where their pump is, so it can be sputtering and water may not be coming out,\u201d Hlavaty said.<\/p>\n
Well owners may have to lower their pump to reach the groundwater\u2014the process of which can be costly, time-intensive and inconvenient, Hlavaty said. Low water levels can also cause damage to well pumps.<\/p>\n
If the water level has dropped too low for the pump to reach, it may begin pumping air, resulting in low pressure and potentially thousands of dollars in damage. Well owners would then need to lower their pump or reduce usage to combat the issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re experiencing one of these long-term droughts, which is longer and more intense than what we\u2019re used to on average, and we\u2019re just waiting for rainfall,\u201d Hlavaty said. \u201cThat drought-busting rainfall just hasn\u2019t come.\u201d<\/p>\n
San Marcos<\/p>\n
Water providers, including BSEACD, may implement increased water restrictions on the cities they supply, Hlavaty said. The city of San Marcos receives water from the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority<\/a>, Edwards Aquifer Authority<\/a> and Alliance Water<\/a>.<\/p>\n Alliance Water is a regional authority focused on addressing the water needs of its members that pumps from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer. The cities of Buda and Kyle, and the Canyon Regional Water Authority, are also members.<\/p>\n San Marcos is currently under a Stage 3 drought\u2014the city\u2019s final stage before declaring an emergency.<\/p>\n The city\u2019s current drought restrictions focus mostly on outdoor water and irrigation, said San Marcos Conservation Coordinator Jan De La Cruz. While water usage is currently stable, an expected increase in the need for irrigation is a city concern as summer months approach, she added.<\/p>\n San Marcos offers multiple programs to assist residents with water conservation, including free irrigation system evaluations. The city has a licensed irrigation inspector on staff to assist community members.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can look at your irrigation system and not only make sure that it\u2019s working efficiently, but also make sure that it\u2019s scheduled properly for the current drought status,\u201d De La Cruz said.<\/p>\n The city offers a rebate to residents who convert some irrigation spray zones to drip zones or eliminate zones entirely.<\/p>\n While Stage 3 is the highest stage the city may issue under normal conditions, a Stage 4 drought can be declared as an emergency response.<\/p>\n Kyle<\/p>\n Kyle is under Stage 2 Amended Drought restrictions, so citizens using drip irrigation or soaker hoses are restricted to watering once a week. The city limits in-ground irrigation systems, spray systems and hose-end sprinklers to once every other week.<\/p>\n The city operates four wells regulated by the Edwards Aquifer Authority and one regulated by BSEACD. With advancing drought stages, pumping limits get stricter.<\/p>\n Kyle intends to expand its water supply through its regional partnership with Alliance Water, Mayor Yvonne Flores-Cale said.<\/p>\n The city currently receives 19% of its water from the provider. Flores-Cale expects the amount to grow to 56% by 2032, expanding the city\u2019s long-term water security.<\/p>\n Buda<\/p>\n BSEACD is one of the main water providers in Buda, which is currently under Stage 3 drought restrictions. At this level, most forms of irrigation are limited to once per week on designated days. Residents receiving water from the city must comply with all restrictions.<\/p>\n \u201cThese restrictions are not arbitrary,\u201d Buda Public Works Director Blair Murski said. \u201cThey are designed to help protect our shared water supply. … Being good stewards of our water supply requires all of us to do our part. Every resident\u2019s effort makes a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n Looking back<\/p>\n Hays County<\/p>\n Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra, who also serves as the emergency management director, called for all water providers, municipalities and groundwater districts to issue Stage 4\u2014or equivalent\u2014water restrictions Feb. 4. His Stage 4 request would be defined by pumping reductions and the halt of nonessential outdoor water use.<\/p>\n![\"chart](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776992868_766_thumbnail.jpeg\")
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