Fair Oaks Ranch moved from Stage 2 to Stage 1 drought restrictions on Aug. 1, but customers still face surcharges for high water use and limits on commercial car washing and landscape-watering permits. The city announced that Fair Oaks Ranch Utilities had met the requirements in its drought plan for terminating Stage 2.
Under the city’s Stage 1 rules, a surcharge applies to water use above 20,000 gallons per residential account in a billing period and above 50,000 gallons per commercial account. The announcement does not state the surcharge amount, so customers cannot calculate its bill effect from this notice alone.
Why the city ended Stage 2
The city’s drought plan allows Stage 2 to be rescinded when two conditions are met, according to the announcement. First, the static water level in the Fair Oaks Ranch Utilities observation well must average more than 1,035 feet above mean sea level for 60 consecutive days. The city marked that condition as met.
The second condition concerns drought designations from the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority or the Trinity Glen Rose Groundwater Conservation District. The city also marked that requirement as met and said Stage 1 becomes operative when Stage 2 ends.
Fair Oaks Ranch attributed the change in part to heavy rainfall, saying Canyon Lake had reached full capacity and GBRA had ended all drought stages. The city said the groundwater district planned to remain in Stage 2 until groundwater levels stabilize.
The city said keeping Fair Oaks Ranch at Stage 1 recognizes the groundwater district’s position and the likelihood that irrigation demand will increase during August and September. It plans to evaluate drought conditions again in the fall after the peak-demand period, though the announcement gives no specific review date.
Rules that remain
In addition to the high-use surcharge, the city said Stage 1 bans commercial car washing that uses nonrecycled technology. Water-main flushing is reduced to the amount required to maintain water-quality standards.
The city also said landscape-watering permits issued before Stage 1 began are rescinded and that no additional permits will be issued. It listed exceptions for newly built homes or customers who can provide proof of a new lawn purchase within the seven days before Stage 1 implementation.
The announcement directs residents seeking the complete requirements to the city’s Drought Contingency Plan. The change is an easing from Stage 2, not an end to drought measures: the listed Stage 1 restrictions remain in force until the city announces another change.