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Within the state of Texas, there is open acknowledgment of the fact that groundwater levels are falling. Concerned citizens of Kerr County are playing a leading role in conserving water and are opting for quick, effective systems to preserve this vital resource for future generations.
From rainwater harvesting to landscaping for rainwater storage to management of rangelands, Kerr County is actively involved with other Texan counties to conserve water. The Headwaters Groundwater Conservation District (HGCD) was created by a law passed in the Texas Legislature with a mission to conserve Kerr County’s precious underground water levels and resources.
Households in this region are actively involved in capturing rainwater and storing for later use. Rainwater does not contain any artificial minerals or salts and is beneficial for watering plants or feeding animals. Many communities are using 30% to 50% of stored rainwater for landscape irrigation. As rainwater goes deep into the soil, it strengthens the roots and even prevents soil erosion.
Another major source of water in Texas is the rangelands, and besides supporting the wildlife and other livestock production, the rangelands act as the region’s most important watershed. In a year when the rainfall is fairly good, a huge percentage of the precipitation is lost to evaporation. Texas regions in general, and Kerr County in particular, are involved in rangeland management that develops the vegetation to hold back more water and works to ensure that more rainwater stays in aquifers.
To promote water-saving activities more vigorously, Kerr County kicked off the Water Saver Landscape Contest in spring 2009. In the last two years, $2260 has been paid out to 12 winners who have come up with effective and innovative ways to preserve and conserve water in residential landscapes. This has led to people adopting native plants and also reducing the area of their lawns.