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Residents in the Southwestern Travis County Groundwater Conservation District, or SWTCGCD, are no longer subject to mandatory reductions following a moderate drought declaration.
Weeks of heavy rainfall in Central Texas has reduced drought intensity in the SWTCGCD and district officials lowered the drought stage from severe to moderate drought effective July 30.
However, SWTCGCD personnel are still recommending conservation measures.
The overview
The SWTCGCD board may declare a lower drought stage when a majority of the district has been at a lower intensity for four successive weeks.
As of July 30, 46% of the SWTCGCD is under moderate drought conditions. (Courtesy Southwestern Travis County Groundwater Conservation District)
Despite improved drought conditions, groundwater levels remain at historic lows throughout the district, according to a new release.
The portion of the Trinity Aquifer managed by the SWTCCD is deep underground and does not recharge as quickly as surface water. Increased rainfall does not immediately improve groundwater levels.
Groundwater pumping exceeds natural recharge rates, which limits aquifer recovery. The news release stated that conservation is one of the most effective ways to support aquifer recovery.
How to help
Current drought response measures entail a 10% voluntary reduction in groundwater use.
According to the release, recommended water conservation measures include:
Looking back
In February, SWTCGCD officials increased the district’s drought stage to extreme drought and called for water curtailment from groundwater users.
In April, the SWTCGCD joined several regional groundwater conservation districts in Dripping Springs to encourage rainwater harvesting as an alternative to reliance on groundwater.
