Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Groundwater User Water Quality Concerns Due to Recent Rains

No Drought (Board declared on 10/11/18)
Lovelady well height: 485.9 ft-msl (167.5 ft-Depth to Water)
Barton Springs: approximately 73 cfs 10-day average


Flooding in the highland lakes region has caused the City of Austin to issue a boil water and emergency conservation notice for Austin Water customers on Oct. 22, 2018. Several groundwater users have contacted the District to ask if they should be concerned about groundwater water quality.  There is no indication that regional groundwater quality has been negatively impacted by the recent rain events.  The major floods have been outside the District’s recharge and contributing zones; however, well owners should pay close attention to any changes in their well water.
During rain events, wells in karst aquifers (like the Edwards & Trinity Aquifers) can see quick recharge, just as the Highland Lakes have seen.  Runoff can wash sediments and contaminants into the groundwater system.  Occasionally, well owners notice a change in taste, odor or appearance after rains—this is an indicator that the well is directly connected to the surface through caves or fractures common in karst aquifers. If groundwater users ever notice a change in taste, odor or appearance, you can boil the water before drinking or use bottled water to be cautious.  If you have a question about your water quality, you can take a sample to an area lab to have it analyzed. Common treatment systems that take care of bacteria (the most common surface contaminant) use either chlorination, ultraviolet light, or reverse osmosis for their drinking water.
The silt, sediment, and other particulates in the Colorado River are so high that surface water systems’ filters and treatment equipment are having trouble keeping up with demand.  While Edwards and Trinity Aquifer wells are not tapped into the Colorado River, those same recent rain events may have washed surface sediments and contaminants into the groundwater.
There’s a good overview of wells and major rainfall events here: https://bseacd.org/2015/11/wells-and-major-rainfall-events/ 

Monday, October 15, 2018

Aquifer District Lifts Drought Declaration


No Drought (Board declared on 10/11/18)
Lovelady well height: 482.4 ft-msl (171.0 ft-Depth to Water)
Barton Springs: approximately 75 cfs 10-day average


At the October 11 Board Meeting, the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District’s Directors declared a No-Drought condition for the aquifers within the District, effective immediately. While rainfall totals across central Texas varied significantly in September and October, areas in the contributing and recharge zones received enough rain to saturate soils and allow runoff to generate stream flow in the recharge zone creeks. One of the area’s two groundwater drought indicators, Barton Springs discharge, has been above the Stage II Alarm Drought threshold (10-day average of 38 cubic feet per second) since September 9, 2018.  On Friday, October 5, 2018 the water level in the Lovelady Well crossed above its drought threshold (478.4 feet above mean sea level). Both indicators need to be above their designated thresholds – and currently are – to emerge from drought.

The District declared a groundwater drought and has been enforcing mandatory water-use restrictions since July 2018.  Sustained creekflow in the recharge zone creeks has generated substantial recharge to the aquifer.  Water levels are still below average, but with additional rainfall they could continue to rise. Groundwater users are encouraged to maintain conservation practices, but mandatory pumping curtailments are lifted. 

Useful links: