As aquifer water levels and surface water continue to drop, and with the Kendall County commissioners noting the Guadalupe River in the county has essentially ceased to flow, SJWTX announced it was moving its customers in Kendall, Blanco and Comal counties to Stage 3 drought restrictions.
SJWTX is the company which purchased Kendall West Utility last year for roughly $23 million, expanding its water reach from Bandera County to Hays County and stretching across seven counties.
Under the new drought restrictions, landscape irrigation only will be allowed once every other week based on a resident’s address. A press release from the water company cited an example, stating while watering won’t be allowed the week of Aug. 8, it will be allowed the week of Aug. 15. However, watering with a hose, soaker hose and drip irrigation will be allowed any day between from 7 to 10 a.m. and 7 to 10 p.m.
“Water conservation continues to be an important focus for SJWTX and is critical for ensuring sustainable use of our water,” the press release stated, crediting SJWTX President Tom Hodge. 'Responsible use of this precious resource is a key part of how we protect our limited water supply.'
Beyond landscape irrigation, further restrictions under the new drought stage include the prohibition of filling swimming pools beyond topping off residential pools or maintaining community pools, the prohibition of pressure washing beyond health and safety purposes and the prohibition of car washing outside of commercial facilities that recycle water.
'The watering schedule, along with other key elements in the plan, is designed to help work toward state and regional goals established by the Texas Water Development Board,' Chelsea Hawkins, SJWTX's Compliance Water Manager, said in the press release. 'The watering schedule, in particular, helps the community manage how much of our drinking water is used for irrigation versus other community needs.'
This move comes on the heels of a week-long emergency drought conditions limiting SJWTX customers in North Canyon Lake, Spring Branch and Bulverde to indoor use only for about a week. SJWTX draws much of its water from Canyon Lake, and a service alert issued July 29 noted a lack of precipitation and increased customer water use led to an emergency restriction.
Although the emergency restriction was lifted Aug. 4, the area remained in Stage 3 as will the rest of SJWTX customers.
“Unfortunately, due to ongoing below-normal precipitation and high-water use, the service area will move to Drought Stage 3 according to our drought management contingency plan,” the information stated.
The drought stage come just days after the private water company filed a correction with the Public Utility Commission.
A misfiling with the Public Utility Commission of Texas suggested Kendall West Utility users might be seeing a rate increase of more than $1 per 1,000gallons of water in its water pass-through rate, but a July 15 correction showed the rate increase request actually is 17 cents per 1,000 gallons. A water pass-through rate is applied to all meters and tiers and intended to cover unforeseen costs. The former owner of KWU had increased the rate to $2.39 per 1,000 gallons, and a June filing with the PUC from SJWTX requested an increase to $3.69 per 1,000 gallons. However, A July filing showed the increase identified was a mistake, and a corrected filing was submitted asking for an increase to $2.56 per 1,000 gallons.
Although PUC staff found the application complete, an Aug. 2 order from the state agency showed PUC Senior Financial Analyst Emily Sears indicated the notice to customers was not sufficient and recommended re-notifying customers. Sears recommended changing the calculation for the rate increase for “administrative efficiency” and to “allow the true-up report to be easily calculated without confusion.”
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