Drought takes toll on Trinity Aquifer Posted On: Saturday, Aug. 8 2009 06:06 AM Special to the Daily Herald

Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District reported this week that data taken from manual measurements of monitor wells in Bell County indicate water levels in the Trinity aquifer have generally dropped, with declines ranging anywhere from 2 to 40 feet over the past six months.

Clearwater, the entity responsible for managing all groundwater in Bell County, noted that drought conditions are having adverse effects on all aquifers in the county. Several calls are coming in from well owners reporting that water levels in their wells are dropping and they are having to lower their pumps.

According to Clearwater records, there are more than 1,900 wells in Bell County producing water from the Trinity aquifer, over 700 wells producing from the Northern Edwards BFZ aquifer, and over 1,900 wells producing water from other formations. The other formations are water bearing layers located close to the surface which are generally not very thick and hold limited water. Wells in these formations tend to be more susceptible to drought conditions because they are pulling from a very limited supply of water. Because of their shallow nature, lowering the pumps in these wells may not be possible; drilling into a deeper formation, such as the Trinity or Edwards, may be the only recourse to reach additional water.

Clearwater Board President Horace Grace said, "We have been studying the hydrogeologic character of the Trinity aquifer for several years and recently completed the drilling of three monitor wells that will be equipped to monitor the aquifer 24 hours a day. These wells will give us the data we need to complete a drought management plan for the Trinity aquifer."

Meanwhile, Clearwater is recommending that all well users pumping water from the Trinity aquifer reduce their pumping by 30 percent, on a voluntary basis. This reduction may prevent some wells from going dry.

Here are some things you can do:

Check for and correct all plumbing leaks.

Re-use or re-circulate water whenever possible.

Wait 5 to 7 days to water outside lawns, trees and shrubs.

Only water between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. – use only hand-held hoses.

Wash vehicles at car wash and only as needed.

No washing of outdoor surfaces (driveways, patios, etc.) except as required for human or animal health and safety needs or for fire protection.

No filling of ponds, lakes, tanks, reservoirs or swimming pools with a capacity over 50,000 gallons. Filling is allowed but discouraged if capacity is under 50,000 gallons.

Water livestock in leak-proof troughs.