Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District: Review of the 2018 Drought
No one needs to tell you that Texas summers are hot and dry, that’s a given. All we need to do is to look around at the brown grass and the waterways giving way to bare rock. That pretty much says it all - but not quite; the dwindling creeks and the dropping water levels in our wells are a direct result of the current drought. Rainwater is the sole source of recharge to the Trinity Aquifer and the Trin ity is the sole aquifer in western Hays County. The Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD) would like your help in identifying those areas within our district boundaries that have been hit the hardest by the dropping water levels. HTGCD has 50 monitor wells that supply excellent data but there are thousands of domestic and agricultural wells out there: information from your well would be a great help in identifying local areas of greatest concern.
HTGCD is questioning how this latest round of 2018 summer temperatures has impacted your groundwater well. Some questions we would like to know: have you been forced to lower your well’s pump, have you added more pipe inside your well to reach a lowered water table, where are you located, how deep is your well, and how deep is your pump? HTGCD is requesting that you reach out to our office ([email protected] or 512-858-9253) and let us know your well’s situation so we can understand how hot weather and lack of rainfall impacts the Trinity Aquifer. The more information we can collect from the public, the better we can understand how change in weather can impact our local well owners. We encourage you to register your wells with HTGCD if you have not already done so. If you are using groundwater at your business or if you are sharing groundwater with neighbors of more than 4 homes, you are required to obtain an operating permit with HTGCD. Applications are available online www.haysgroundwater.com under Quick Links / Forms.
Lastly, HTGCD will be holding Board member elections in November, 2018 as there are three open positions within single member precinct 1, 3, and 5. To see the entire HTGCD boundary map including all five single member precincts, a map is available on-line www.haysgroundwater.com under Quick Links / About HTGCD. If you wish to run for one of the open Board member positions, the last day to file on the ballot is 5:00 P.M. on Monday, August 20, 2018. Election application packets are available on-line under Quick Links / 2018 Election Info. All election applications must be submitted to the HTGCD office or postmarked by the filing date.
Rick Broun
General Manager
Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District