Watson Wire: A Drop in the Bucket

Recent thunderstorms brought us some cool light shows and a little respite from the heat but not enough rainfall to resolve the drought. We remain in serious drought conditions that are expected to get worse over the coming summer months.

You might have seen that the?Lower Colorado River Authority has scaled back their drought response?to Stage 1 thanks to recent rains boosting lake levels. While that’s good news,?Austin's Drought Contingency Plan?is based on the long-term projections for the lake levels – and that situation hasn’t improved –?so the City is still at Stage 2.

Our water supply is stressed from years of drought, and we need to continue to use water wisely. Please be mindful of your water consumption and implement water-saving practices wherever possible.?By working together proactively, we can ensure sustainable water for our community.

The Austin Water utility has created a?helpful website?with tips to conserve. Little changes, such as cutting back on discretionary water use, can make a big difference. For example, outdoor watering can account for up to 70% of home water use during the hot summer season, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Austin has long been?a leader in water conservation, and we continue to be aggressive in mitigating water use in our updated drought plan. We are in a challenging time as a growing city in a drought-prone state. Water conservation needs to become a way of life.

Stay Cool this Summer

It’s Texas. And, yeah, Texas is hot. But we’re expecting a hotter-than-normal summer as climate change contributes to more extreme heat with temperatures on some days climbing to between 105° and 110°F. Recent climate projections developed by researchers at UT Austin show an increasing trend in higher summer temperatures, with predictions of more frequent and intense heatwaves.

At a news conference yesterday, we highlighted ways folks can protect themselves from the heat, such as properly hydrating,?limiting outdoor activities to early morning or evening and knowing the early signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

This summer will likely be another record-breaking season for energy demand from the state’s electrical grid, as well. Last summer, the state saw 10 all-time peak demand records.

Austin Energy recently completed its summer weatherization inspections and maintenance activities in preparation for the summer season and we are certified “summer-ready” with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Austin Energy generates the energy that is then distributed through the state’s electrical grid that is maintained by ERCOT.

Throughout the summer, Austin Energy will echo communications from ERCOT, especially in the event of a call for conservation or energy emergency. Please conserve energy to help ease the load and demand on the grid whenever you can. Some useful energy conservation tips include: avoid major appliance usage during the hottest parts of the day, raise your thermostat a few degrees, and use fans to keep cool.

And my personal favorite cool-down recommendation? Popsicles, lots and lots of popsicles.