Edwards Aquifer reaching 'critical' drought

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) -- The Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer is in an 'alarm stage' drought status, a status that has not been implemented since 2006.

This portion of the aquifer provides drinking water to more than 50,000 people, including residents of Kyle and Buda.

The Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer conservation district said the situation could worsen, forcing them to declare a 'critical stage' drought status. 

"We haven't really had anymore recharge, so we're actually headed to criticial drought maybe within the next couple months," said Brian Hunt, Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer conservation district hydrogeologist. "Unless we get anymore rains, that's sort of what we're looking at."

The 'alarm stage' drought status can be triggered by two things: the discharge flow at Barton Springs or the water level in the South Austin Lovelady well. The Barton Springs discharge flow triggered this alarm, because the threshold of 38 cubic-feet-per-second was reached.

What this means is that all permit holders allowed to pump water need to reduce their monthly pumpage by 20 percent. Conservation measures can also be implemented by abiding by a water schedule, being conscious of the amount of water usage and having restrictions on filling pools.

Hunt said there are a whole variety of measures that can be implemented to achieve that 20 percent reduction, and if 'critical stage' drought status is reached, there would have to be a 30 percent reduction.

Hunt said there were droughts in 2006, 2000 and 1996.