Recent rain does little to ease drought

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

This week’s rain showers brought some relief from the oppressive heat and slightly greener grass to Caldwell County, but did little to eliminate drought conditions that have plagued Central Texas this summer.
It is no secret that weather patterns in Central Texas are sporadic on their best days, and downright unpredict

able at their worst. While one community is being doused with rain, another may be blanketed in sunshine, as was the case on Tuesday when firefighters from the Dale and McMahan Volunteer Fire Departments battled grass fires near FM 713 that destroyed more than five acres while Lockhart huddled indoors and under umbrellas.
As of Wednesday morning, Caldwell County Judge H.T. Wright had not considered lifting the outdoor burning ban for rural Caldwell County, according to his executive assistant, Marie Cavanaugh. However, Cavanaugh said, the burning ban is on the agenda for the Court’s Monday morning meeting, and lifting the ban may be discussed at that time. She was able to offer no insight as to whether the Commissioners might consider lifting the ban.
Meanwhile, municipalities and water districts across Caldwell County continue to enact and enforce outdoor watering restrictions.
Most recently, the Martindale Water Supply Corporation notified members last week that “Stage Two Mandatory Mild Drought management measures” have been implemented.
The goal for the measure, according to MWSC general manager Steven Fonville, is to reduce usage by 10 percent.
Martindale WSC customers are asked not to use sprinklers between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and to water only on designated days. Those living within the Martindale city limits may water on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Those outside the city limits may do so on Thursdays and Sundays.
Fonville reminded MWSC area residents who utilize private wells for irrigation systems that those wells draw from the same source as the MWSC wells, and that usage of those wells, outside the suggested restrictions, would also impact water supplies.
In Lockhart, City Manager Vance Rodgers continues to urge customers to be aware of mandatory watering restrictions, stating some residents continue to disregard the restrictions enacted by the city.
Within the City of Lockhart, residential customers with addresses ending in even numbers may only water with sprinklers or irrigation devices on Thursdays and Sundays. Odd-numbered residential addresses may water on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and commercial and multi-family customers may water on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Chances of rain will dwindle over the weekend and throughout next week as temperatures climb back toward the 100-degree mark.