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The Source: Stage 3 Drought Restrictions Just Around The Corner

Chris Eudaily
/
TPR News

We have been in Stage 2 drought restrictions for so long it feels normal, but Stage 3 is just around the corner and you will need to adjust your water lifestyle a little more. Though Texas is a solid red state, Democrats have been fighting the good fight for a long time and many feel like a shift in power is on the horizon.

The drought continues

It’s not a question of whether Stage 3 water restrictions are coming to San Antonio, it’s a question of when, and that’s likely going to happen next month, according to the San Antonio Water System.

There’s no doubt that the drought is getting worse, water supplies are getting tighter and the city is going to have to be smarter about how to use what we have left.

Karen Guz is the conservation director for SAWS and says the water utility is about to install the toughest water restrictions ever to hit the city.

"Your established plants will be O.K., but if you plant a lot of new things you may have to really baby them. So think hard about how many plants you put in and choose ones that won't need as much pampering in order to get through a long hot summer."

Learn more about Stage 3 water restrictions online at: www.saws.org

  • All restrictions from Stage 1 and Stage 2 remain in effect, unless added to or replaced by Stage 3 rules.
  • Landscape watering allowed only every other week with an irrigation system, sprinkler or soaker hose from 7-11 a.m. and 7-11 p.m. on your designated watering day. Weeks when no watering is allowed will be announced via local media and online.
  • Watering with drip irrigation is allowed every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but only from 7-11 a.m. and 7-11 p.m.
  • Watering with a hand-held hose is allowed any time on any day.
  • All residential fountains and indoor commercial fountains can operate at any stage of drought. Outdoor commercial fountains must have a SAWS variance in order to operate during drought stages 1 through 4.
  • All non-public swimming pools must have a minimum of 25 percent of the surface area covered when not in use. Inflatable pool toys or floating decorations may be used for this purpose.
  • Washing impervious cover such as parking lots, driveways, streets or sidewalks is prohibited.
  • Residential car washing allowed during drought once per week on Saturday or Sunday as long as there is no water waste.
  • The use of SAWS-certified commercial car wash facilities is allowed any day.
  • Operators of golf courses, athletic fields and parks must reduce watering per city ordinance.
  • Hotels, motels and other lodging must limit linen/towel changes to once every three nights, except for health and safety.

Red, Purple, Blue

Credit Ryan Loyd / TPR
/
Texas Public Radio
Julián Castro talks to the media at the DNC ahead of his keynote address that catapulted him to the national spotlight.

In last November’s Presidential election President Barack Obama received 41 percent of the vote. Looking at the race by counties the only blue on the map is in the major urban counties and along the Texas-Mexico border.  

Republicans control all statewide Texas offices, both houses of the state legislature and have a majority in the Texas congressional delegation, which makes Texas one of the most Republican states in the U.S.>

It doesn’t look promising that Texas will become a two party state anytime soon, so when the organization Battleground Texas says it’s going to change the political landscape in the state and give Democrats a foothold, there is a lot of interest.

San Antonio Express-News columnist Gilbert Garcia writes about Battleground Texas in his Wednesday Column.

"They (Julián and Joaquín Castro) both emphasized the fact that if there's going to be a turnaround in Texas it's not going to be achieved by one charismatic figure, by one popular figure. I think a lot of people in San Antonio - and even a lot of people outside San Antonio - thought that if Julián Castro runs for governor, this is really going to electrify the party and make a big difference. Without discussing their own political plans, I think it was clear that they wanted to let people know that this has to be achieved brick by brick and it's not like one candidate is going to turn this around."

Stay Connected
David Martin Davies can be reached at dmdavies@tpr.org and on Twitter at @DavidMartinDavi