The Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District has increased the drought stage from Drought Stage 2 to Stage 3, indicating that ongoing drought conditions continue to keep groundwater levels below average for this time of year. Under Stage 3 the District encourages all well owners to practice water‑conservation measures and reduce overall water use by 20%. Stage 3 Drought restrictions are currently voluntary.
As spring temperatures rise, one of the simplest and most effective ways to conserve water is to limit outdoor landscape watering. When possible, consider using alternative water sources, such as rainwater harvesting, to support outdoor needs. For lawn and landscape irrigation, focus on deep soaking once or twice a week rather than light daily misting to encourage roots to grow deeper where soil stays moist longer. Additionally, scheduling irrigation for the early morning hours before eight AM significantly reduces water loss from wind and evaporation.