Current Drought Stage - Year-round conservation measures

 

Trinity Glen Rose District Moves from STAGE 2 Drought Restrictions to Year-Round Conservation Measures

 

After considering several factors along with the rising levels in the Trinity Aquifer monitoring wells due to recent near-record rains, the Trinity Glen Rose Groundwater Conservation District (TGR) board of directors decided to move its drought stage from STAGE 2 to year-round water conservation measures in compliance with the District’s drought contingency plan.

 

“After seeing the our well levels jump due to the constant rainfall we’ve seen over the last couple of weeks, the board decided to go ahead and lift the STAGE 2 restrictions at our board meeting today rather than wait until the next meeting,” said TGR Board Chairman Joe duMenil. “With more rain in the forecast, we’re confident that the other agencies will be moving out of STAGE 2 in the near term. Despite the plentiful rain, we have seen some sprinkler systems running recently. So we want to encourage home and business owners to turn off their automatic sprinkler systems so we don’t waste water during this wet period.”

 

Year-round conservation measures include: 

The TGRGCD strongly encourages homeowners, homebuilders and/or developers, exempt and non-exempt well users to incorporate the conservation practices as outlined in the City Of San Antonio’s Ordinance #100322 where standards became effective January 2006. Specifically, the incorporation of the following best management practices:

 

a. Rain Sensors- rain sensors should be installed and maintained on all irrigation systems equipped with automatic irrigation controls;

b. Xeriscape Option- Homebuilders and/or developers subdividing lots and/or constructing new single family residential homes should offer a xeriscape option in any series of landscaping options offered to prospective home buyers;

c. Model Homes- Homebuilders and/or developers who construct model homes for a designated subdivision should have at least one model home per subdivision landscaped according to a xeriscape design; and

d. Rain Water Harvesting Systems- Homebuilders, developers, and homeowners should consider the installation of rain harvesting systems. Rain harvesting

systems can reduce reliance on common water supplies with a low cost investment.

 

2. Waste is prohibited at all times. Allowing groundwater to run off into a gutter, ditch, or drain or failing to repair a controllable leak is considered waste.

 

3. Users of groundwater should use common sense and best practices to avoid water waste, practice water conservation and minimize use of groundwater for non-essential purposes.

 

4. Landscape watering with groundwater using an irrigation system, soaker hose, or sprinkler should follow guidelines in accordance with times and days as described below.

 

5. Hand watering with groundwater using a hand-held hose, drip irrigation or bucket is encouraged any time and any day.

 

6. Using groundwater for washing impervious cover such as parking lots, driveways, streets or sidewalks is discouraged and should be done responsibly to avoid runoff.

 

7. The use of commercial vehicle wash facilities that recycle water is encouraged.

 

8. Reduce groundwater consumption by any means available.