Recent heavy rains in Kerrville have presented an opportunity for the City to resume normal operations in managing its aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) systems. Currently, the city is treating river water to drinking water standards and storing it in the Lower Trinity Aquifer reservoir for anticipated use during the upcoming summer months. This technology, coupled with the city's diverse water sources, has historically positioned Kerrville favorably during drought conditions compared to surrounding communities.
Kerrville has been at the forefront of ASR efforts in Texas for over 30 years, successfully storing and recovering water at regular intervals. The city maintains a stored balance of more than 830 million gallons of drinking water, with two ASR wells capable of supplying potable drinking water for approximately three-quarters of a year if needed.
The city's water portfolio includes surface water from the Guadalupe River and Nimitz Lake, constituting around 80 percent of the city's drinking water during normal weather conditions. Groundwater from the lower Trinity and Ellenberger aquifers contributes about 20 percent, serving as a supplement during periods of high demand or limited surface water availability.
Additionally, Kerrville boasts a Reuse Water Storage Facility completed in 2019, storing over 95 million gallons of non-potable water for irrigation by large industrial users. This facility benefits entities like the Kerrville Sports Complex, Schreiner University, Tivy High School athletic fields, and several golf courses, including Scott Schreiner, Riverhill, and Comanche Trace. The use of reclaimed water in these areas eliminates the need for approximately 260 million gallons of community drinking water annually for irrigation purposes, equivalent to the annual consumption of nearly 3,800 households.
