Drought has led to ‘dire’ water supply in Kyle, could purchase more from San Marcos
KYLE, Texas (KXAN) – The City of Kyle wants to purchase more water from San Marcos to support its growing community.
Severe drought has affected many communities across Central Texas. While Kyle’s population in recent years has increased annually by 8%, its water supply has not grown with it.
“The drought condition has just left our water supplies decreasing,” said Amber Schmeits, the assistant city manager of Kyle. “Everybody in Central Texas is feeling the same pressure on their water supplies. So, it’s good to diversify and have additional [ones] during this time.”
San Marcos is in Stage 2 drought restrictions while Kyle is in Stage 3. This means customers and businesses can water vegetation with a hose any day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. If customers and businesses want to use irrigation systems, they do so on their designated days, according to Kyle.
Schmeits said due to sufficient planning decades ago, San Marcos has ample water and the ability to sell some supplies.
Both city councils will vote on the water agreement Tuesday night. If the cities approve it, San Marcos will sell some of its Edwards Aquifer authority, providing approximately 450,000 additional gallons of water to Kyle daily, Schmeits said.
If approved the agreement will last three years, until the end of 2026, and cost Kyle nearly $23,000 a month.
Currently, Kyle gets its water from several places, including Canyon Lake, the Edwards Aquifer and the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer.
Despite getting more water, Schmeits conservation efforts in Kyle are critical.
“The drought is still here. Even though we’ve seen some rain, it’s not filling up Canyon Lake like we would expect it to, and the drought had our water supplies in such dire condition,” she said. “We need to remain in a conservation mindset, and make sure that we have an adequate supply of drinking water.”
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