The city of New Braunfels has implemented Stage 3 water restriction beginning Tuesday.

The city of New Braunfels has implemented Stage 3 water restrictions beginning June 21.

Flows in certain areas of Comal Springs could stop in a few weeks if current drought conditions persist — a possibility that prompted New Braunfels Mayor Rusty Brockman to heighten the city’s water conservation.

Under Stage 3, watering lawns with a sprinkler or irrigation system is allowed one day per week — every other week — before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. Days are designated by the last digit of a resident’s address.

On ExpressNews.com: No Stage 3 watering restrictions for San Antonio

Watering with a hand-held hose, drip irrigation system, bucket or a soaker hose that does not spray water into the air is allowed any day, but only before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m.

The spring flow in Comal Springs in New Braunfels is steadily declining, threatening the habitat for endangered species that depend on the springs for survival, such as the fountain darter and the Comal Springs riffle beetle.

The Guadalupe River in Victoria depends on the Comal and San Marcos Springs for its flows, which make up 75 percent of the water in the river. The Guadalupe River then flows downstream to bays and estuaries, which communities depend on as well.

Stage 3 will stay in effect until the city of New Braunfels declares otherwise.

San Antonio remains under Stage 2 water restrictions.

Elena Bruess writes for the Express-News through Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms. ReportforAmerica.org. elena.bruess@express-news.net

Elena Bruess joined the Express-News as the environment and water reporter in June 2021 through Report for America. Previously, she covered water issues for Circle of Blue in Michigan and wrote about COVID-19 in Chicago as a reporting fellow for the Pulitzer Center. She has a master's in science journalism from Northwestern University and a degree from the University of Iowa's undergraduate writing program. She is originally from northeastern Iowa, but also grew up in central Greece.