Saturday's Internet Edition, July 05, 2008.
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By Lee Sweeten, G.M.
Real Edwards Conservation & Reclamation District
Well here it is the middle of February and still no rain. It has been since August of last year since we have had any appreciable rains and the land is dry and parched. As you are aware, the numerous grass fires in and around the area have kept the volunteer fire departments busy. The plentiful rains of last spring and summer are just a memory and from what the weather forecasters are saying this year we may not be so lucky. Long range predictions say it may be a long dry spring and summer. It won’t be but a few short weeks and it will be time to think about the garden and the lawns. With the severe lack of rainfall, it is time to consider changing our water wasting habits. Yes, it is time to consider cutting back on the carpet grass and replacing it with a hardier water conserving turf. Time to consider substituting native plants and shrubs for some of those water hungry ones we seem to like. Time to consider mulching the vegetable garden and time to seriously consider raising the level of the lawn mower in an effort to conserve water.
Currently the District is in a Stage 1 drought. River flows on both the Nueces and Frio continue to drop and unless the area receives rains in the near future, it is likely that the District will move to a Stage 2 – Moderate Drought Condition.
Under Stage 2 Conditions, all non-exempt well owners/operators and users of groundwater produced from wells shall be notified in writing that the District has gone to Stage 2 of the District’s plan and will be asked to reduce total monthly pumpage by ten percent (10%). and exempt well owners will be asked to voluntarily reduce unnecessary pumping .
It is time to get serious and begin to conserve; so “Do Your Part; Be Water Smart”