NEW BRAUNFELS\u2014Significant drops in the aquifer have continued over the past several weeks and moved New Braunfels ever closer towards Stage 1 drought restrictions. The aquifer is less than a foot away from the trigger level of 660 feet for Stage 1 drought restrictions and could fall at or below as early as the weekend. NBU customers are asked to begin preparing for the change in landscape watering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are seeing very heavy demand on the NBU water system that can largely be attributed to increased landscape watering,\u201d NBU Environmental Affairs Manager Suzanne Williams says. \u201cUsage is now over 15 million gallons a day compared to about 10 million gallons per day in June. This has coincided with significant drops in the aquifer of anywhere from .5 to a foot or more per day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If Stage 1 drought restrictions go into effect, customers will be allowed to use a sprinkler or irrigation system one day per week based on the last digit of their address as long as they do so before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. These restrictions apply to both residential and commercial customers alike. The requirements for landscape water and other outdoor water use are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
0 or 1: Monday<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2 or 3: Tuesday<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4 or 5: Wednesday<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6 or 7: Thursday<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8 or 9: Friday<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Watering with a hand-held hose, bucket, soaker hose, or a drip irrigation system is allowed any time on any day during Stage 1. The ordinance also prohibits outdoor fountains and waterfalls, requires a variance confirmation from the NBU Environmental Affairs Division for watering new landscaping, and limits vehicle washing at home to watering days and times over a pervious surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReducing the use of non-essential water for landscapes enables NBU to manage through mandated reductions by the EAA, GBRA and TCEQ with our current, less expensive water supply,\u201d Williams explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n