The Southwestern Travis County Groundwater Conservation District, or SWTCGCD, board of directors announced that an extreme drought is ongoing in Travis County as of March 14.
The agency lists six stages of drought, corresponding to the U.S. Drought Monitor, ranging from ‘no drought’ to ‘exceptional drought’. The current stage of drought, D-3, is the second-most severe.
The overview
The board first announced that the district had entered stage D-3, or an ‘extreme drought’ stage in November, according to meeting documents.
To declare an increased stage of drought, the district must experience that level of drought covering at least 50% of the district for two consecutive weeks, according to the district’s website. Other factors involved in declaring an increased stage of drought include drought status in neighboring counties, 12-month rainfall deficits and aquifer conditions.
- "No-Drought" - base condition
- D-0: Abnormally Dry Stage
- D-1: Moderate Drought Stage
- D-2: Severe Drought Stage
- D-3: Extreme Drought Stage
- D-4: Exceptional Drought Stage
The details
Mandated restriction measures include a 30% curtailment of quarterly permitted-use amounts for all SWTCGCD operating permits, according to the district’s website.
For general permits and exempt wells, a 30% voluntary reduction in groundwater use is recommended.
Other recommended reduction measures recommended by the SWTCGCD include watering lawns once every 5-7 days, avoiding swimming pool re-fills and washing vehicles at car washes only as needed.
A full list of recommended restriction measures shared by the district includes:
- Continue or increase voluntary reduction
- Correct all plumbing leaks
- Water lawns once every five to seven days
- Water at night between 8 p.m and midnight using a hand-held hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle or timer
- Hose-end and automated sprinkler systems are prohibited
- Do not re-fill swimming pools
- Use car washes only as needed
- No washing of buildings, patios, outdoor surfaces unless required for safety or fire prevention
- Water for dust control only if required by law
- Livestock watering in leak-proof troughs is strongly recommended
- Pumping groundwater into livestock stock tanks is discouraged
- Providing groundwater to other ponds or other surface impoundments for holding water is prohibited
What else?
The U.S. Drought Monitor provides a map of all Texas counties and their corresponding drought conditions. The map is updated every Thursday at 8:30 a.m.
