On March 5, one of Hays County's most significant water providers said it might have to reduce service in 2014 if drought conditions worsen.

"The forecast is not good," said Bill West, the general manager of the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority. "We don't think we'll have a problem this year, but if we don't get some sizable rain this spring, this summer and this winter, next year will be tough."

The cities of Kyle and San Marcos are among the water providers that rely on water from GBRA's Canyon Lake to supply its businesses and residents. Although the cities have implemented drought restrictions in recent years, West said the GBRA has never curtailed the amount of water it provides to its major customers.

"In 2011, we thought we were approaching that situation, and we got some rain," West said during a presentation to the Hays County Commissioners Court. "Where we are today, we know Canyon Lake will go down this summer, but how far down it goes, we don't know."

GBRA would curtail water if the reservoir falls to 56 percent of its capacity he said. It is currently at 82 percent capacity.

"Compared to other reservoirs in the state, we're in good shape," West said. "We're very stingy with our water."

The National Weather Service has predicted that drought will persist or intensify in Central Texas through the spring. Hays County Judge Bert Cobb said the county and its residents should do what they could to reduce their reliance on groundwater such as Canyon Lake.

"I want to encourage people to conserve and do rainwater conservation," Cobb said. "I would like the court at some point to make a stand that we're firmly behind conservation."