|
Agencies compare notes on drought
Published June 26, 2009
Kerr County officials have been fielding calls from the public about the worsening drought conditions and what it means.
“People feel we’re reaching a crisis level,” said Pct. 1 Commissioner Buster Baldwin, during a press conference on local water issues at the courthouse Thursday.
Baldwin and Pct. 3 Commissioner Jonathan Letz organized the gathering, which included representatives from the city of Kerrville, Headwaters Groundwater Conservation District and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority.
Baldwin said that, because county commissioners have no control over water issues, “This is our way of participating.”
During Thursday’s meeting, each representative commented about drought effects, monitoring procedures and measures the public can take to help stave off future problems before answering media questions.
City of Kerrville
The city of Kerrville uses surface water, which it draws from the Guadalupe River.
Five years ago, the city was able to draw six million gallons of water a day. But that changed last year when the state limited the city to 3 million gallons per day.
This past week, that changed to 2 million gallons per day, according to Stuart Barron, the city’s water/wastewater manager.
Currently, the city has imposed Stage 2 mandatory water conservation measures, limiting the use of automatic irrigation and sprinklers.
If the lack of significant rainfall continues, the city could eventually enter the third of fourth drought stages.
“That’s when we really get into the crunch,” he said. “I don’t think any of us want to get to Stage 3.”
But he said the public can help alleviate future problems by conserving water now.
Anyone who fails to abide by the rules can face a fine of as much as $2,000 per charge.
“We are real serious about our water,” Barron said.
Charlie Hastings, Kerrville’s public works director, previously told the Times the city may be forced to consume water impounded in the city lake if the drought worsens. To date, that hasn’t happened.
For more information and a detailed list of prohibited water uses, visit online at www.kerrvilletx.gov.
HGCD
While the city of Kerrville has called for Stage 2 water conservation measures, the unincorporated areas of the county, which depend on groundwater, are faced with Stage 1 drought conditions.
But Gene Williams, HGCD general manager, said he anticipates the county will enter Stage 2 by next week and possibly Stage 3 by the end of summer. He also said water levels at four of the district’s monitoring wells have dropped to historic levels.
The HGCD has a drought contingency plan to keep the public apprised of drought conditions. It applies to everyone and all organizations with permitted wells that use groundwater within the district and encourages voluntary conservation by reducing all non-essential water uses by exempt well owners.
The plan requires a fractional reduction in water demand for public water systems during each stage. It’s up to the system’s owner to implement drought restrictions.
Each stage has corresponding water restrictions for permitted well owners and public water supply systems: Stage 1, a 10 percent reduction; stage 2, 20 percent; stage 3, 30 percent; and stage 4, 40 percent.
UGRA
Tara Bushnoe, UGRA natural resources coordinator, said her agency focuses on the quality and flow of surface water.
The UGRA monitors river flow by using various methods: rainfall data, spring flow and river flow. It also financially supports United States Geological Survey River Flow gauging stations in Hunt, Ingram, Kerrville and Center Point, as well as Comal and Kendall counties.
Bushnoe said water flow influences water quality, which is based on the amount of contaminants present.
One such contaminant is E. coli.
The UGRA tests E. coli levels at 21 swimming locations in the county each week during the summer. The results of the “swimability study” are compared to the TCEQ’s standards for contact recreation.
If high levels of E. coli are present, there is a heightened risk of contracting a water-borne illness, and swimming advisories are issued.
Although the river’s flow has slowed, Bushnoe said E. coli levels are within acceptable limits, and the water quality overall “is looking good.”
Regional
Letz, who also is chairman of the Plateau Water Planning Group (Region J), offered reassurances about the future.
He said there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes on long-term water issues and noted “so much more cooperation between the water entities” now than in the past — evidenced by the various agencies that participated in Thursday’s press conference.
Region J is located on the southern edge of the Edwards Plateau and consists of six counties, including Kerr County.
The Plateau Planning Group has recommended 12 water management strategies for the region and classified into three general categories — conservation, groundwater and surface water.
The strategies for the region have a total capital cost of $14.4 million and are expected to result in an additional 14,869-acre-feet of water supply available by 2060.
Weather patterns
Times’ meteorologist Cary Burgess said the weather outlook for June through August indicates a normal summer rainfall pattern — barring any unusual weather phenomena, such as tropical or low-pressure systems.
While the 30-year average for rainfall in June is 4 inches in Kerr County, 12.16 inches fell in 2004. Likewise, trace amounts of rain fell in July of 1993, compared to 19 inches in 2002, he said.
Those heavy rains were the result of tropical systems.
“If you get one of those, it throws the averages off the books,” Burgess said. “They can get us out of the drought pretty quick.”
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print |
Comment
|
|
|
 |
|
Photo Reprints
Get Daily Times photos from the latest games and scenic locales.
Special Sections
Visitor's Guide
Real Estate Guide
Hill Country Life
Medical Directory
Home Directory
|
