San Angelo announces drought level three Published Oct. 2, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Joshua Edwards 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas - -- The water levels for San Angelo are low and with the constant heat and no rain means there will be some changes. The San Angelo City Council voted Sept. 27 to implement drought level three effective starting Oct. 1. Drought level three means that San Angelo has less than a year's worth of an available water supply. The drought is already affecting the community in a few ways. "Without adequate rainfall ranchers don't have grazing lands available, nor do they have infill for their ponds," said David Cline, 17th Civil Engineering Squadron chief asset management flight. "The city itself is affected due to the large amounts of water needed for industry and commercial activities that we don't have available to us anymore." San Angelo has already taken a few steps in order to help out with the drought. There are now outdoor water restrictions in place, and a pipeline is being built. "The city is installing a pipeline to the Hickory Aquifer," said Mary Lumsdon, 17th Civil Engineering Squadron base energy manger. "That pipeline is not going to be able to supply the city with enough water, at the rate we are using it. It will help supplement our water supply and make it so we won't run dry." The outdoor water restrictions started Oct. 1, which prohibits all outdoor watering unless exempt. Exempt from these restrictions are car washes, maintaining water levels in swimming pools, watering of golf course putting greens, watering nurseries, trees and foundations by hand or with drip irrigation, and irrigating grass the base's military dog kennel. Besides following the restrictions the community can help out in other ways. "We are asking everyone to conserve water," said Lumsdon. "Take shorter showers, do full loads of clothes, turn the water off while brushing your teeth, try not to wash your cars unless you take it to a car wash and use low flow faucets and showerheads in your homes." "Make sure to fix leaks and drips it is one of the major water wasters," said Cline. "Make every drop count"
