An ongoing drought in central Texas could cost the city of Kyle up to $1.5 million through 2026 as city officials purchase water from the nearby city of San Marcos to fulfill supply.
Water is waning in Kyle, Texas, as a yearslong drought parches the city's supply, sourced from the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA), Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District and Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority.
As of Wednesday, more than 40 percent of Hays County, Texas, where Kyle is located, was experiencing severe drought, with more than 88 percent of the county under moderate drought impacts, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. And the city's population continues to grow, putting more stress on the water supply.
City officials have found a temporary solution to the problem: purchasing water from San Marcos where supply exceeds demand, but the agreement comes with a cost.
City officials approved the agreement at a council meeting Tuesday. Kyle will pay San Marcos a minimum monthly amount equivalent to using 223,186 gallons per day. The rate comes out to a cost of $22,832 per month. The minimum amount is paid regardless of the actual amount of water Kyle uses. If the city purchases only the minimum amount, it's three-year cost for the water will be nearly $822,000. However, the maximum amount available will cost Kyle up to $550,000 per year.
"The maximum total annual amount that may be pumped under this agreement is 500 acre-feet per calendar year 2024, 2025, and 2026," the agreement said. "Kyle will operate and meter its groundwater withdrawals throughout the term of this agreement to ensure that the limit on the total annual water amount pumped then utilized is not exceeded."
Newsweek reached out to the city of Kyle by email for comment.
The agreement also specifies that Kyle will meet or exceed San Marcos drought restrictions throughout the duration. Kyle already follows drought restrictions, such as reducing watering hours and permitting irrigation only on certain days.
National Weather Service (NWS) Climate Prediction Center meteorologists issued a monthslong drought outlook that revealed concerning news for western Texas. The forecast said drought is expected to worsen in the region throughout the summer.
However, the forecast delivered good news for central Texas, where Kyle is located. Drought removal and drought improvement are both forecast for the area.
Drought in other parts of Texas has improved significantly over the past few weeks as a deluge of rain has pummeled the state. Extreme rain pushed water levels at Belton Lake to 100 percent capacity—a significant improvement given the reservoir had been reduced to 60 percent of its capacity last July after the region went without rain for months. Lake Buchanan and Lake Travis in central Texas also improved following the rain.
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Anna Skinner is a Newsweek senior reporter based in Indianapolis. Her focus is reporting on the climate, environment and weather ... Read more
