Horseshoe Bay goes to Stage II drought conservation measures

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

Thanks to a prolonged rain bomb throughout the month of May, the Horseshoe Bay city council voted unanimously, Tuesday, June 16, to reduce restrictions on its customer’s water use by going from Stage III to Stage II in its drought contingency plan, until Sept. 30.

Residents may now water their lawns twice a week under Stage II; under Stage III it was once a week.

The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) lifted its 2013 restrictions on outdoor watering for firm water customers, although voluntary water conservation measures are encouraged, explained Jeff Koska, community services director. The trigger for LCRA lifting restrictions was reaching 1.1 million acre-feet of combined storage in Lakes Travis and Buchanan.

“We’ll need 1.4 million acre-feet [in Lakes Travis and Buchanan] before all restrictions are lifted,” Koska said.

LCRA lifting restrictions has cleared the way for Highland Lakes cities to make life less restricted for water customers.

“There’s no reason for our residents to be held to a higher standard,” said Councilman Craig Haydon.

In October, “we’ll determine after these hottest months whether we need to go back to Stage III,” he said.

Stage I of the Plan is voluntary and targets a 5% reduction in normal water uses with no restriction on watering schedules days or times for irrigation during this stage.

Road island trouble

A discussion about whether to remove five road islands in the city prompted a flurry of discussion. After five residents sent complaints to the city expressing their concerns regarding the islands in front of their homes, Farmer suggested having them removed, which would cost around $21,000.

One speaker countered the islands are part of the city’s “heritage.”

For more on the council meeting, see the Highlander, Tuesday, June 23.