Water conservation period beings
The Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District’s Water Conservation Period began Friday, May 1 and extends through the end of September – the time when water use is at its peak.
Starting on May 1, Austin Water Utility restricts outdoor watering to no more than twice per week, and the Barton Springs/ Edwards Aquifer Conservation District initiates a voluntary 10% reduction in groundwater pumping by its permittees. Though the approaches are different, the goal is the same--prolong water availability throughout the hottest and driest portion of the year.
In the summer months, outdoor water use is significantly higher and can account for 60% or more of home water use. Planting native or drought-tolerant landscapes, mulching, and using compost can substantially reduce the amount of irrigation water required to keep plants healthy. Making sure your irrigation system is functioning at peak efficiency and replacing leaking gaskets and hoses can help conserve water. Installing a rain barrel or rainwater harvesting system can make an even bigger impact in reducing overall water use.
Outdoor conservation helps extend water supplies and can be as easy as fixing leaks and choosing water conscious ways to do things. Here are simple, easy steps to lessen your outdoor water footprint:
• Perform a yearly home irrigation audit to fine-tune your irrigation system.
• Fix all leaky faucets, pipes, hoses, and sprinklers. Leaks (even slow, quiet ones) can waste hundreds of gallons every month.
• Remove or pare down your turf grass and instead install native or adapted plants. They are suited to the climate of your area, and Texas natives generally need less water to thrive.
• If you water with a sprinkler system, make sure to audit your system regularly for leaks. In addition, install water-conserving devices like a rain shut-off device, soil sensors, or drip irrigation for your garden beds.
• Cover swimming pools to reduce evaporation when not in use, only refill when needed, and check regularly for cracks or leaks.
• Sweep sidewalks and driveways with a broom instead of using a hose.
• Use a spray nozzle on your hose with a shut-off valve to cut down on water waste.
AQUIFER STATUS UPDATE
Central Texas entered April in near-drought conditions. Since the beginning of 2020, the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer region has received a little over 10 inches of rainfall. The six inches that fell between January and March did little but wet the ground, leaving creeks relatively dry. While this produced minimal recharge, it was important in wetting the soil. This enabled the 3.5 inches of rain from April 3-4 to run off, filling area creeks. Local aquifers showed a slight response to recharge, particularly the Upper Trinity. This is encouraging as we progress through the wettest months of the year (March - June), but more is needed to reverse the downward trend of aquifer levels as we prepare for summer.
The district is not currently in drought. Without more rain, groundwater levels could dip beneath drought thresholds as soon as mid-May to June. For more on current drought status visit bseacd.org.