Dripping Springs - Well water almost gone? (live in, prices)

[jkimes]

Hi there,

I live just outside of Dripping Springs. The water problems have been very bad this year, from the drought and the huge influx of people to the area. Most of the homes where wells have dried up are near new, high density subdivisions which were mapped out in one of the wettest years.

You might want to consider rainwater in addition or instead of a well. The water is soft, tastes great (well water does not, and you can hit spots in this area with sulphur water). Your clothes get cleaner, you don't need softeners or RO, and your fixtures don't get all crudded up with minerals.

We did not dig a well, and have been very happy with rainwater. There are plenty of installers out here. Check the local expert: http://www.rainwatercollection.com/

Good luck!
Juliette

[musicman107]

After well went dry once, and then second time burned up her pump...she resorted to installing a water storage tank in back yard.
She went to the phone book and settled on a company (I believe is in Dr Spgs) with a name of someting like Whitsitt and Lyle Co. She's been very pleased with them.
Other companies she consiered included:
China Town Water Works (out of Cedar Park) which she says some people out there like.
Also some water delivery service from Marble Falls also serves that area.
Mind you, she's using a storage tank to supplement her newly, more deeply driilled well.... don't know any details about any of these companies delivering water in "mass quantities" without a storage tank already in place, but they may be worth a call to ask..
Sis also mentioned there's a trend toward water collection with a roof over the storage tank itself to collect considerable amounts of rainwater (when it does rain.)
Wish I could supply some more details, but that's all I know for now.
Good luck to you!!!
And do a rain dance!!! Couldn't hurt!!

[BlancoGal]

As far as I know, in the rural areas of the hill country, if it says "gas" that means propane.

When you buy a gas appliance (stove, heater, frig), you'll need to get a special propane orifice. It's a different size than for natural gas. And it's VERY important.

You can buy or lease a tank from your local propane dealer, and can either order propane when you need it, or sign up for the delivery route. It's usually cheaper per gallon when you're on the route; they'll come fill your tank, then send you a bill.

[AustinEdmonton]

The aquifer is not an infinite water source...and Barton Springs is already showing the signs of strain from pumping in Hays County (in which Dripping Springs falls)...this past summer saw the spring fall to the lowest flow in recorded history and the flow remains compromised into this fall...if you do decide to settle in that area, please attempt to recycle water-- utilizing cisterns, collectors, etc...

[killertone]

Update:

I posted a few months ago that our well went dry. Luckily, it did not. Our pump died. It was still a huge pain and very costly, at least in my opinion, but once we had the pump replaced we had water again. Actually our "dead" pump was sitting in over 70' of water. We lowered it another 20 so now we sit in approx. 90' of water above our pump. I installed a 3,000 gallon reservoir tank that I now pump into in case of emergency. I learned a ton about wells through this ordeal and now feel a lot better with the knowledge I gained.

We are going to do rainwater collection at some point but it is very expensive. It would cost in the area of $20,000 or more for a system for our house so it is not an option at this point in time.

[achtungpv]

I worked for Hays County briefly right out of college in '96 and we always had people coming in to the subdivision office whose well had already gone dry and their house wasn't even finished being built yet. I would think it's even worse now.

Septic tanks: I have a septic tank and it'll only backup if the tank is completely full. As long as you have it pumped every 3-5 years (@ $250 a pump), it'll work perfectly. Also, don't use any of those additives for the septic tank. It doesn't need it.

[Ellen K]

Originally Posted by MKCRNIC

My husband and I are coming to Austin next weekend for our second house hunting trip, this time we're going to spend a lot time searching the SW area (Dripping Springs). We have heard rumors that the well water is almost gone due to the falling water table. Is this true? I have to believe that a solution has to be available as so many others would be affected and in serious treat. Can you comment on how difficult it would be to take care of a well water system?

Also, what about septic sewers? Any thoughts here? How difficult are they to maintain? Are the rumors true that sometimes septics back up and you end up with yucky backflow in your sinks and tubs?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

In Hays County there are several sources of water. I would guess that your friend is drawing from the Edwards Aquifer, it is extremly low and has been a very big issue for 15+ years. The most reliable sources of water out there is the Trinity Aquifer. When looking for a home I suggest the first thing you find out is the water supply and how deep is the well. Some people are getting their water from LCRA but if you look at Lake Travis you will see it is very low. We have had several years of draught. The Trinity and LCRA are very reliable sources of water.

The back flow from a septic would indicate it needs to be pumped and they have not been maintaining it with RidX(common brand of live bacteria needed) They need to maintain their septic. It is easy and cheap to do.

[Tom Williams 9]

do you have to have a steel roof for a complete (potable water) system or would a clay tile roof be fine? I know you cannot use a standard shingle roof for potable water

[Tom Williams 9]

how much does it cost to truck in water with a holding tank? compared to standard community well bills ($100 to $150 a month) or city water?

[LizD1990]

Originally Posted by Tom Williams 9

do you have to have a steel roof for a complete (potable water) system or would a clay tile roof be fine? I know you cannot use a standard shingle roof for potable water

Actually, this is not true. You can have a standard shingle roof for potable water. We do! And it works great. Steel is the ideal roof, and you would have to check with a professional on the clay tile roof (although, I suspect it would be fine, too). The house we have rented for 3 years was built by a doctor and his doctor wife and they chose 100% rainwater collection for the house and it has a standard shingle roof. We have been very happy with the water quality. We have a 250 gal. eliminator that 'grabs' the first 250 gals. before it ever gets into the tanks. The water in the tank goes through a 2 step filtration and UV light process before entering the house. Good luck!