Staying serious about water conservation

Dialing back landscape watering is an easy way to make a big difference/Austin/Bastrop areas

Oct. 18, 2023

By John Hofmann
LCRA Executive Vice President of Water

Y’all, we need to stay serious about water conservation.

Our weather is turning a little cooler, but the ongoing drought has not budged – and that means we should not and cannot let up on our water conservation efforts. We all need to continue to conserve water, and one of the quickest and easiest ways to do that is to dial back water use on landscapes.

This was our second hottest June, July and August on record, behind only the scorcher of 2011. It also has been extraordinarily dry. Austin’s Camp Mabry received 1.3 inches of rain over those three months. Bay City received 2.24 inches and Burnet received .89 inches. We had a little rain over the last few weeks, but not enough to make a significant difference.

In addition, annual inflows – or water flowing into the Highland Lakes – were the lowest in history last year. In July this year, the lakes received 1.2% of the average inflows for that month, in August 0.2% and in September 6.6%. When you add in the sky-high evaporation rate and significant increase in water use, you should have a good picture of why we’re in a serious situation. This is an extreme slice of an extreme drought.

We all need to make sure our remaining water supply is used wisely, and that means everything from fixing leaks immediately to turning off water when you brush your teeth. But to get the biggest bang for the buck, we need to look outdoors.

During hot weather, up to 70% of all water going to homes in a typical community is used outdoors. And by some estimates, as much as half of that runs off, evaporates or isn’t needed. It’s unacceptable – I would say even irresponsible – to be wasteful. And make no mistake, overwatering or letting water run off onto pavement is wasteful.

Please pay attention to your water use and do what you can to conserve. Do it because it’s the right thing to do. No one should wait for mandatory restrictions to stop wasting water.

In addition to following your local water providers restrictions, we recommend:

• Using water-efficient and drought-tolerant plants.
• Adding mulch to landscapes and compost to turf to help prevent water loss.
• Covering swimming pools when not in use.
• Reducing water waste inside the house by turning off water when it’s not needed.

Visit www.WaterSmart.org for water-saving more tips.

I wish I could tell you when our situation will change, but I don’t have a crystal ball. This fall looks to be wetter than our summer, but we still may not receive enough rain to break this significant drought.

This is Texas, and we all know our weather can change in a hurry. And when it does, we’ll be happy to see the lakes return to more average levels. But even then – please stay water wise and keep your good water habits. There is never a good time to waste water.

John Hofmann is executive vice president of Water at the Lower Colorado River Authority, which manages the lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes. For more information on the drought, visit www.lcra.org/drought.

About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations. For more information, visit lcra.org.

Media Contact:

Clara Tuma
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