Southwestern Travis County Groundwater Conservation District

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor map released March 19, 2026 (map date: March 17, 2026), 66% of the District is classified as extreme drought (D3), with the remaining 34% classified as severe drought (D2).

This is the tenth consecutive week that more than 50% of the District has been classified as D3. The District Board of Directors declared D3 Extreme Drought Stage on February 19, 2026, based on drought severity in the District and surrounding counties, aquifer conditions, and other relevant factors. https://swtcgcd.com/district-map

Please RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-rainwater-harvesting-tickets-1979758756735

We look forward to seeing you!

Curious about rainwater harvesting but don't know where to start? Don't worry, we've got you covered! 🌧️✔️

Join us for 'Introduction to Rainwater Harvesting'—a free event on Tuesday, April 28 from 1-2:30pm at Dripping Springs Presbyterian. You'll learn aquifer science 101 and what to consider when building out your own rainwater harvesting system (big or small).

Come early or stay late to talk to local rainwater harvesting retailers and groundwater conservation districts.

Register and learn more at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-rainwater-harvesting-tickets-1979758756735

A big thank you to our event partners!
💧Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District
💧Southwestern Travis County Groundwater Conservation District
💧Hill Country Alliance
💧Rainbees

This year, March 8 – 14, 2026 is National Groundwater Awareness Week! 💧🪨

Groundwater is hidden beneath our feet, but it plays a vital role in our everyday lives.

In Texas, groundwater provides 57% of all freshwater used, supplies 72% of the water used by agriculture, and is a source of drinking water (from both public and private wells) for nearly seven million Texans. 🚰

Groundwater Awareness Week, led by the National Ground Water Association, highlights the importance of protecting the water we depend on but rarely see. Because what we can’t see still needs our care! ❤️

__________________________________

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor map released February 26, 2026 (map date: February 24, 2026), 66% of the District is classified as extreme drought (D3), with the remaining 34% classified as severe drought (D2).

This is the seventh consecutive week that more than 50% of the District has been classified as D3. The District Board of Directors declared D3 Extreme Drought Stage on February 19, 2026, based on drought severity in the District and surrounding counties, aquifer conditions, and other relevant factors.

It's that time of the year! 🚰💧

SWTCGCD is excited to partner with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension to offer well owners in our District low cost well water samples analysis with the "Well Informed" Texas Well Owner Network (TWON) Program.

This is your reminder to test, tend, and treat your well water systems.

Tests cost $15 each (cash or check), but the first 10 people to drop off a sample to our office on March 4th will get one free!

How to participate:
Well owners must drop off their sample at the District office located at 8656 W Highway 71, Building A, Suite 224, Austin, Texas 78735 on March 4th between 9:30AM - 12:30PM.

Please see the slide 2 for instructions on how to collect your water sample. Please use a clean sterile bottle when collecting your samples.

The District has a limited amount of test kits. Please email [email protected] or call the District office at (512) 276-2875 to confirm test kit availability and pickup.

Please join us on March 5th 1PM-2:30PM at the Wimberley Village Library to learn your well water results and well care tips!

If you cannot attend the presentation on March 5th, The District will email your results to you.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor map released February 19, 2026 (map date: February 17, 2026), 53% of the District is classified as extreme drought (D3), with the remaining 47% classified as severe drought (D2).

This is the sixth consecutive week in which more than 50% of the District has been classified as D3. Based on these conditions and drought outlook, the District Board of Directors declared D3 Extreme Drought Stage at its February 19, 2026 meeting.

Check out the District's Interactive Map to see drought conditions in your area:
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/2c4489a3c673497bab555a846f1c166e

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor map released February 12, 2026 (map date: February 10, 2026), 53% of the District is classified as extreme drought (D3), with the remaining 47% classified as severe drought (D2).

This is the fifth consecutive week in which more than 50% of the District has been classified as D3. As the minimum threshold for declaring a higher stage has been met, the District Board will consider declaring D3 Extreme Drought Stage at its February 19, 2026 meeting.

For the most recent drought conditions please visit the Water Data for Texas Drought Monitor.

https://waterdatafortexas.org/drought/drought-monitor

The Southwestern Travis County Groundwater Conservation District (SWTCGCD) will consider declaring D-3 Extreme Drought Stage at its February 19, 2026 Board meeting due to ongoing and intensifying drought in the District and across Central Texas. If declared, groundwater-use reductions, water conservation measures, and new-well restrictions would take effect. No new non-exempt wells may be drilled under D-3, except to replace existing permitted wells; this restriction does not apply to exempt wells.

Please see the press release for full details, including specific drought measures, permit guidance, and helpful resources. A map of current drought conditions within the District and surrounding areas is included on the final page.

We encourage all well owners, permittees, drillers, water utilities, and other stakeholders to review this information and plan accordingly. For ongoing updates, visit the District’s drought management page: https://swtcgcd.com/drought-management.

Thank you.

also serves as an annual reminder for water well owners to test, tend, and treat their private water systems.

It’s recommended for wells to have routine annual maintenance checks to ensure the proper operation of the well and prolong its years of service, as well as monitor the water quality.

SWTCGCD will be partnering with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension to offer well owners in our District well water test kits for $15 per sample.

How to participate:
Well Sample Test Kit Pickup | March 24th – April 3rd from 9am to 3pm
Well owners who would like to participate must pick up a testing kit from the District office located at 8656 W Highway 71, Building A, Suite 224, Austin, Texas 78735. Staff will provide the materials and detailed instructions on how to collect your well water sample.

Well Sample Test Drop off | Monday, April 7th from 11am to 1pm
Must return water samples to the District office.

Results/Follow Up Meeting | April 8 (Optional, but highly encouraged) | 11am – 12pm
Joel Pigg, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist, will host an educational hour-long presentation of your results, water well protection practices, and other recommendations. This event will take place at the Wimberley Village Library located at 400 FM 2325 in Wimberley, Texas.

If you cannot attend the presentation on April 8th, The District will email your results to you.

For more information, please contact the District office at (512) 276-2875 or email [email protected].

-------------------

Today for , we will take a look at the different aquifers found in our District!

Did you know? 💡
The Lower and Middle Trinity aquifers are the primary sources of groundwater within SWTCGCD.

It is important to note that water levels in portions of the Middle and Lower Trinity aquifers have significantly lowered since 1978. This is likely due to pumping that exceeds the aquifer’s natural recharge rate. Later this week, we will share ways well owners can protect and conserve their groundwater.

To learn more about the hydrogeology of our District, check out the Groundwater Studies page found on our website.
_____________