HTGCD enters into Drought Stage ‘Alarm’
Attention residents of western Hays County, the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD) has declared drought stage Alarm effective July 1, 2018. Drought trigger conditions have been met; therefore, the HTGCD Board of Directors will be taking action during its regularly scheduled July Board meeting to confirm Order 188 recognizing this latest drought condition. All active permit holders received a drought stage notice on June 28, 2018 to begin reducing production.
Those of you who have lived in Central Texas for any amount of time are aware of drought conditions and how it may impact your groundwater well. HTGCD asks that all residents of western Hays County continue to help our local Trinity Aquifer by reducing personal water usage wherever possible. Examples how to reduce water usage include: taking shorter showers, repairing leaks, repairing sprinkler heads, limiting watering times, and watering during the early morning or during the late evening.
HTGCD holds non-exempt operating permits with many local businesses throughout our boundary. These businesses use groundwater for the following uses: commercial/business, public water supply, retail water supply and commercial irrigation. These permit holders are mandated by Rule to reduce their groundwater production during declared drought conditions. Drought Stage Alarm requires non-exempt permit holders to reduce production by 20%. If drought conditions worsen to drought stage Critical, then permit holders are mandated to reduce production by 30%. HTGCD urges all exempt groundwater well owners (domestic/residential/agricultural) to also reduce your well’s production.
If you are currently using groundwater for your business in any fashion other than agricultural exempt use, you are required by Legislation and HTGCD Rule to obtain and operating permit. Operating permit applications are available online on the HTGCD website under Forms. Remember, the drop you save today, may be the drop you drink tomorrow.