As the drought situation in the Guadalupe River Basin worsens, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority officials are implementing water restrictions to take into account water usage on the hydro-lakes. Assuming no significant rainfall in the interim, Stage II restrictions will be effective Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009.

The following critical period stages apply to any diverter of water other than contracted stored water that diverts and uses water from any of the GBRA Hydroelectric Lakes including:

Lake Dunlap	Comal/Guadalupe County
Lake McQueeney	Guadalupe County
Lake Placid	Guadalupe County
Lake Nolte	Guadalupe County
H4 (Lake Gonzales)	Gonzales County
H5 (Lake Wood)	Gonzales County

When the level of the spring flow rate from the Comal Springs, when measured at the Comal River, reaches the following levels.

Stage I

Applies on any day following a day when the average twenty-four (24) hour spring flow rate is at or below 250 cfs, but greater than 200 cfs.

When Stage I is in effect, the following restrictions apply to all persons:

(1) No person may waste water, including allowing irrigation tailwater or water from vehicle washing at a residence to escape from that person's property.

(2) No person may use water to wash an impervious outdoor ground covering such as a parking lot, driveway, street or sidewalk unless for health or safety reasons.

(3) No person may use water for landscape watering between the hours of 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. However, landscape watering by means of a bucket, hand-held or soaker hose, or a properly installed drip irrigation system is permitted at any time. This subsection does not apply to reclaimed, reuse or recycled water.

(4) Every person who owns or has possession of a swimming pool must cover the pool with an effective evaporation cover, screen or shield covering at least 25 percent of the surface of the pool when the pool is not in active use. Active use includes necessary maintenance that requires removal of the cover, screen or shields. Active use of public, commercial and apartment pools is whenever the pool is not officially closed.

(5) No person may wash a vehicle at other than a commercial vehicle wash facility except on Monday and Friday, before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m. Such washing must be done on a lawn or other pervious surface using a bucket or hand-held hose with an automatic shutoff nozzle.

Stage II

Applies on any day following a day when the average twenty-four (24) hour spring flow rate is at or below 200 cfs, but greater than 150 cfs.

When Stage II is in effect, the following restrictions apply to all persons:

(1) All of the prohibitions applicable in Stage I apply in Stage II, except to the extent replaced by more restrictive conditions imposed by this stage.

(2) Landscape watering is prohibited between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., and is further restricted such that properties with an odd numbered address may landscape water only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and properties with an even numbered address may landscape water only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. However, landscape watering by means of a bucket, hand-held or soaker hose, or a properly installed drip irrigation system is permitted at any time. This subsection does not apply to reclaimed, recycled or reuse water.

(3) No person may use water for an ornamental outdoor fountain or similar feature, unless the water is recycled and the only additional water used is to compensate for evaporative losses.

(4) No person may wash a vehicle at other than a commercial vehicle wash facility except over a pervious surface area, during the above designated watering days and times with a hand-held hose with automatic shutoff nozzle or using a bucket.

The penalty for wasting water or any violation of Stage II restrictions as determined by the GBRA General Manager, or his designee, is $100 per day per violation.

Stage III

Applies on any day following a day when the average twenty-four (24) hour spring flow rate is at or below 150 cfs, but greater than 100 cfs.

When Stage III is in effect, the following restrictions apply to all persons:

(1) All of the prohibitions applicable in Stages I and II apply in Stage III, except to the extent replaced by more restrictive conditions imposed by this stage.

(2) Landscape watering is prohibited between the hours of 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. and is further restricted such that properties with an odd numbered address may landscape water on Mondays and Fridays, and those with an even numbered address may landscape water on Tuesdays and Saturdays. However, landscape watering by means of a bucket, hand-held hose or soaker hose, or a properly-installed drip irrigation system is permitted at any time. This subsection does not apply to reclaimed, recycled or reuse water.

(3) No person may use water for an ornamental outdoor fountain or similar feature.

(4) No person may wash a vehicle at other than a commercial vehicle wash facility except over a pervious surface area, during the above designated watering days and times with a hand-held hose with automatic shut-off nozzle or using a bucket.

The penalty for wasting water or any violation of Stage III restrictions, as determined by the GBRA General Manager, or his designee, is $100 - $200 per day per violation.

Stage IV

Applies on any day following a day when the average twenty-four (24) hour spring flow rate is at or below 100 cfs, but greater than 50 cfs.

When Stage IV is in effect, the following restrictions apply to all persons:

(1) All of the prohibitions applicable in Stages I, II and III apply in Stage IV, except to the extent replaced by more restrictive conditions imposed by this stage.

(2) Landscape watering is prohibited between the hours our 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. and is further restricted such that properties with an odd numbered address may landscape water on Mondays while those with an even numbered address may landscape water on Tuesdays. However, landscape watering by means of a bucket, hand-held hose or soaker hose or a properly installed drip irrigation system is permitted during the hours allotted for watering. This subsection does not apply to reclaimed, recycled or reuse water.

(3) Filling of new and existing pools is prohibited unless at least 30 percent of the water is obtained from a source other than the GBRA hydroelectric lakes. Water may be used to replenish swimming pools to maintenance levels. Drainage of swimming pools is permitted only onto a pervious surface, or onto a pool deck where the water is transmitted directly to a pervious surfaced, only if necessary to:

• Remove excess water from the pool due to rain in order to lower the water to the maintenance level;
• Repair, maintain, or replace a pool component which has become hazardous; or
• Repair a pool leak.

(4) Washing of vehicles is prohibited at other than a commercial vehicle wash facility.

The penalty for wasting water or any violation of Stage IV restrictions, as determined by the GBRA General Manager, or his designee, is $100 - $500 per day per violation.

Stage V

Applies on any day following a day when the average spring flow rate is at or below 50 cfs

When Stage V takes effect an emergency condition exists and the GBRA General Manager shall convene an emergency session of the GBRA Board of Directors to consider emergency rules to further restrict uses or other appropriate action.

Use Necessary for Public Health or Safety

Notwithstanding any provision of this section, water may be used when and to the extent it is necessary to prevent danger to public health, safety or welfare or to the extent required by state or federal law.

Termination of Restrictions

The GBRA General Manager, or his designee, may terminate the restrictions of a Stage when the condition listed as the triggering event for such Stage has ceased to exist for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days. Upon termination of the restrictions of the applicable Stage, the restrictions of the prior Stage become operative.