We are all aware of the current drought conditions that continue in Central Texas. As a community with a single well source, we should all be concerned with the sustainability of our water supply. In conjunction with this current situation, please remember that we are in a Stage 2 Drought Condition. The Stage 2 water restrictions have been in effect since the beginning of July, but it is clear from the metered consumption data that the need to conserve water has not been understood with the seriousness that our situation demands. A record number of 24 households were classified as exceptional users in July, a euphemism for households consuming more than 10,000 gallons during the month.

I urge you to balance your plant, lawn, and pool watering needs with the consideration that the groundwater level in our well is dropping, and until recharge is available in the form of rainfall, it is in the neighborhood’s best interest to conserve water primarily for household use.

As aquifer levels continue to drop, the possibility remains that we will need to designate a Stage 3 Drought Condition, which will incur additional mandatory water restrictions. In addition, a possible means for reducing usage, if voluntary conservation efforts continue to be inadequate, is to reduce the operating pressures of our water system. At present, we remain in Stage 2, at our standard operating pressures.

Stage 2 water restrictions enact the following water use restrictions for all customers:

1. Irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems shall be limited to Sundays and Thursdays for customers with a street address or post office box number ending in an even number, and Saturdays and Wednesdays for water customers with an address ending in an odd number. All irrigation of landscaped areas is limited to the hours between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., and between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. on designated watering days. However, irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted at anytime if it is by means of a hand-held hose, a faucet-filled bucket or watering can of 5 gallons or less, or drip irrigation system.
2. Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer or other vehicle is prohibited except on designated water days between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., and between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Such washing, when allowed, shall be done with a hand-held bucket or hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff.
3. Use of water to fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools, wading pools, or Jacuzzi-type pools is prohibited except on designated watering days between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., and between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.
4. Operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes is prohibited except where necessary to support aquatic life or where such fountains or ponds are equipped with a recirculation system.
5. Use of water from hydrants shall be limited to fire fighting, or other related activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare.
6. The following uses of water are defined as non-essential and are prohibited:
   1. Wash down of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced areas
   2. Wash down of buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection
   3. Water for dust control
   4. Permitting water to run or accumulate in any ditch or street
   5. Failing to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leaks(s)

By reducing your water use now, you will be doing your part to ensure that water continues to be available to every household for essential daily uses. Your actions now may also keep the SRE-WSC Board from having to adopt more stringent conservation measures.

Many of you have already begun water conservation measures and we thank you for your efforts. Please continue these efforts until we can get some much needed relief in the way of rain.

Thank you for your assistance with this important matter. If you have any questions or if I may provide additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me by calling (512) 847-9045.