During a Dec. 16 meeting, the Hays County Commissioners Court approved the first water study in Hays County since 2011, as well as failed to meet the deadline to pass restrictions on fireworks, while upholding the ban on outdoor burning.
A water study would take account of all the water in Hays County, and help make the process of disposing of wastewater more environmentally sound, according to Commissioner Walt Smith.
Commissioner Morgan Hammer reportedly brought the water study agenda item to the court, stating that the water situation in Hays called for a study and examination to be done.
“So in 2011, it was the last time we had a water study done for the county,” Hammer said. “We’ve got some big things on the horizon for our water, especially within Wimberley, as everyone knows I don’t have to reiterate that we’re in a stressed situation.”
Nearly 61% of Hays County is experiencing a severe drought, and almost 10% is in an extreme drought. The ongoing drought is affecting the entirety of Hays County, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System.
Darren Thompson, from HDR, an environmental engineering company, stated that the company wanted to evaluate the environmental conditions, create water supply plan for Dripping Springs and Wimberly, as well a flood assessment. Thompson said the flood assessment would help to implement a flood management project in each Hays County precinct.
“Dripping Springs had never flooded before about 10 years ago, it was flooded twice,” Smith said. “We have flooding problems for about [six hours] from the west side of the county, and then all that water sits for three weeks in San Marcos.”
Commissioner Walt Smith thanked Hammer for bringing the issue to the court. Smith stated that there is a significant amount of unaccounted for water in Hays county. He also said that often, with the rapid change of Hays County, the data that we do collect is outdated in about three years.
The vote concluded with a unanimous vote to conduct the study.
The last agenda item that was discussed during the court was the ban on outdoor burning. The burn ban is a frequently discussed item in the court, placed on the standing agenda. In the duration of the court, a discussion on the restriction of fireworks took place.
The purpose of a burn ban, according to a Hays County Press Release, is to prevent out-of-control fires during dry seasons. During these times, electric and gas burners are banned for use, as well as the burning of any trash or brush, according to the San Marcos Fire Department.
Judge Ruben Becerra proposed “no fins, no sticks” during the burn ban, which would mean no skyrocket fireworks with sticks or missile style fireworks that have fins on them are to be allowed in the county. However, the deadline for a restriction on the regulation of these fireworks had already passed. The burn ban was adopted until Jan. 20, 2026.
“It’s pretty dry out there as it stands right now,” Mike Jones, director of emergency services for Hays County, said.
On a select amount of Tuesday’s the Hays County Commissioners Court meets at 9am. Find out more on their website.
