BY MICHEAL MILLIORN
Looking back
Hays County
Buda
Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra, who also serves as the emergency management director, called for all water providers, munic- ipalities and groundwater districts to issue Stage 4—or equivalent—water restrictions Feb. 4. His Stage 4 request would be defined by pumping reductions and the halt of nonessen- tial outdoor water use. Becerra proposed a moratorium on the issu- ance of new development permits to projects that require an immense amount of water, such as data centers, at a Feb. 24 Commission- ers Court meeting. He tabled the proposition following court discussion. On Mar. 23, District 45 state Rep. Erin Zwie- ner announced the creation of a Hays County working group that will address concerns with data centers, water use, and the authority of cities and counties to respond to related challenges.
BSEACD is one of the main water providers in Buda, which is currently under Stage 3 drought restrictions. At this level, most forms of irrigation are limited to once per week on designated days. Residents receiving water from the city must comply with all restrictions. “These restrictions are not arbitrary,” Buda Public Works Director Blair Murski said. “They are designed to help protect our shared water supply. ... Being good stewards of our water supply requires all of us to do our part. Every resident’s effort makes a difference.”
Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District drought history
2022
July: Stage 1 Alarm Drought declared November: Stage 2 Critical Drought declared January: Stage 3 Exceptional Drought declared February: drought stage reduced to Stage 2 Critical Drought following rainfall over the recharge zone March: drought stage reduced to Stage 1 Alarm Drought November: Stage 2 Critical Drought declared October: Stage 3 Exceptional Drought declared May: board of directors to reevaluate the current drought stage
2023
2024
Buda drought irrigation restrictions
2025
Drought stage
Hose-end and sprinkler irrigation restriction
2026
Twice per week • Tuesday and Friday (athletic fields, commercial, mixed-use, multi-family) • Wednesday and Saturday (odd- numbered residential) • Thursday and Sunday (even-numbered residential) Once per week • Tuesday (athletic fields, commercial, mixed-use, multi-family) • Wednesday (odd-numbered residential) • Thursday (even-numbered residential) • Friday (athletic fields) Once every two weeks • Tuesday (athletic fields, commercial, mixed-use, multi-family) • Wednesday (odd-numbered residential) • Thursday (even-numbered residential)
SOURCE: BARTON SPRINGS-EDWARDS AQUIFER CONSERVATION DISTRICT/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
Stage 1
The next steps
“We have spent a long time fighting water conservation in our county. We have been trying for years to do
Becerra organized a Clear Water Summit on March 27. The event brought together representatives from water providers, groundwater districts, and local and state officials to discuss drought conditions and increasing water demand. Attendees agreed to meet quarterly to continue discussions on water availability and industrial developments, Becerra said. A second summit will be held in San Marcos this June.
Stage 2 & Stage 3*
something, and it’s not been working, so it’s time to try something else.” RUBEN BECERRA, HAYS COUNTY JUDGE
Stage 4
SOURCE: CITY OF BUDA/COMMUNITY IMPACT
*CURRENT STAGE
23
SAN MARCOS - BUDA - KYLE EDITION
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