After three years of being in Stage 2 drought restrictions, New Braunfels moved to Stage 1 on July 28 following recent rainfall in the region.
What it means
The change to Stage 1 means watering with a hand-held hose, bucket, drip irrigation system or soaker hose that does not spray water into the air is allowed any day at any time. In Stage 2, it was only allowed before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. on any day, according to a news release from New Braunfels Utilities and previous reporting by Community Impact.
However, landscape watering with an irrigation system or sprinkler is limited to once per week. Under Conservation Stage 1, irrigation is permitted before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m., according to the release. The schedule for the use of a sprinkler or irrigation system is:
- Addresses ending with 0 or 1: Monday
- Addresses ending with 2 or 3: Tuesday
- Addresses ending with 4 or 5: Wednesday
- Addresses ending with 6 or 7: Thursday
- Addresses ending with 8 or 9: Friday
Decorative outdoor fountains also remain prohibited unless they can fully operate with reclaimed water, the release states.
How we got here
The move to Conservation Stage 1 is based on various objective measurements, including the 10-day average water level at the J-17 Edwards Aquifer monitoring well reaching at least 650 feet above mean sea level, or MSL, and the 10-day average flow at the Comal Springs reaching at least 200 cubic feet per second, or CFS, the release states.
The J-17 Edwards Aquifer monitoring well has reached a 10-day average of 651.7 feet and 215 CFS at the Comal Springs, according to the release.
One more thing
NBU officials are still encouraging their customers to practice water conservation year-round. Individuals can visit www.nbutexas.com/ways-to-save/water/current-conservation-stage for water conservation tips, watering schedules and additional resources, or call 830-608-8925.
