by WES FERGUSON
With Central Texas no longer facing critical drought conditions, Buda is set to ease its water restrictions. Among the biggest changes to conservation in the city:
• Gardeners may water their vegetable plots at any time and any day of the week using any method they choose. Under the more stringent restrictions, they had been prohibited from watering between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• Outdoor watering with a hand-held bucket, hose with a positive shutoff device, soaker hose or drip irrigation systems is permitted at any time on any day. Other types of outdoor irrigation will remain on a twice-per-week schedule.
• People may wash their cars any time using a bucket or hose with a positive shutoff device.
The city will be placing notifications on its website and signs declaring the reduced Stage I drought conditions. Last week the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District eased its drought restrictions from Stage III Critical Drought to a Stage II Alarm.
“With above average rainfall this winter, soils reached saturation and runoff created enough creek flow to contribute some recharge to the aquifer,” Robin Havens Gary, spokeswoman for the conservation district, said in a news release. “While water levels in the aquifer are on the rise, without continued above average rainfall, the district could find itself back in Stage III Critical Drought this summer.”
The city of Kyle has not said whether it will change its water restrictions in response to the conservation district’s decision.
