By Kim Hilsenbeck

Drought alarms are dinging around Hays County as water levels drop below established triggers set by the various aquifer authorities. The Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) notified its permittees it was implementing Stage 2 drought protocols, which involves a reduction in water pumpage of 20 percent.

The city of Kyle, however, which has a permit to pump water from BSEACD, never came out of Stage 2 drought as of last May. Utility Coordinator Jason Bieme...