The Struggle for Water Amidst Growth
Hays County, where Kyle is situated, is expected to face extreme drought conditions at least one-quarter of the time annually by 2040, according to ICE Sustainable Finance.
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The crisis reached a point last summer where residents were prohibited from washing their cars at home and using water for construction, and restrictions were placed on sprinkler and hose use. Many residents rely on hoses to keep their home’s foundations moist to prevent cracks and settling caused by the intense heat.
Resident Concerns
Stephanie McDonald, 62, who moved to Kyle in 2015, expressed concern over her home’s foundation due to dwindling water supplies.
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During a spring city council meeting, McDonald highlighted the insufficiency of water for the growing number of new homes being built.
Surge in Water Demand and Rising Utility Bills
A city engineering report revealed that last year, water demand in Kyle during peak times surged to 4,382 gallons per minute, up from just 571 gallons in 2021.
Source: Freepik
As water sources have dwindled, utility bills have increased, with the minimum household water bill rising by an average of 6.8 percent annually from 2021 to 2022.
City’s Response
In response, the city purchased water rights from San Marcos in April, tapping into the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer.
Source: Landsea Homes
Mayor Travis Mitchell has been addressing the water issue, noting that the restrictions have already contributed to savings. “Right now, we’re trying to expand our water portfolio because of the rapid growth of our city,” Mitchell told KXAN.
Extreme Heat and High Humidity
Aside from rapid growth and water shortages, Kyle is also suffering from extreme heat, leading residents to venture outside only early or late in the day. The combination of high temperatures and severe humidity makes it difficult for people to cool down.
Source: Freepik
Last year, temperatures in Austin hit a scorching 118 degrees, with this year reaching 115 degrees. Emergency personnel responded to 125 heat-related calls in May alone, more than double the previous year’s total.
Severe Health Impacts
“I had people working in factories or at an Amazon warehouse taking precautions and going to work with a big jug of water, and they still ended up in renal failure,” John Tuners, medical director of four emergency and urgent-care facilities, recounted.
Source: Freepik
Many suffered renal failure from severe dehydration, while others faced rhabdomyolysis, a dangerous condition causing muscle tissue to break down.
New Pipeline to Boost Water Supply
A new pipeline, expected to be completed by February 2025, is being constructed to address the water needs. “Our current supply of water is around 5.7 million gallons a day. [The pipeline] is going to add an additional 1.7 million to that,” said Mike Murphy, Kyle’s director of water utilities.
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By 2027, the $250 million pipeline is projected to supply the city with 2 million additional gallons of water daily, benefiting Kyle, San Marcos, and Buda for at least 50 years.
Concerns and Sustainability Efforts
However, Robert Mace, executive director at the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, predicts that the pipeline might run out of water much sooner, possibly within 10 to 20 years, as other suburbs like San Antonio and Austin tap into the supply.
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The city is exploring wastewater recycling for commercial and agricultural uses and requiring new homes to use low-water landscaping. “We don’t get to choose between moderate or slow growth,” Mitchell told The Wall Street Journal. Texas law limits municipalities in controlling construction, forcing Kyle to attract developers before negotiating sustainability measures.
Private Initiatives
Residents like Bob Gregory are taking action themselves. Gregory has begun desalinating brackish water, aiming to sell it next year.
Source: Freepik
“It’s a matter of time before the price of water will go up to offset the price I pay for desalination,” said Gregory, owner of Texas Disposal Systems.
Recent Developments and Economic Growth
Kyle has also seen recent developments, including a new 308,000-square-foot Amazon sorting center and a nearby Tesla mega factory. An Amazon spokesperson noted that the new facility maintains an average internal temperature of 74 degrees, with no reported heat-related illnesses from 2023-2024.
Source: iStock
Other new additions include a Sprouts Farmers Market, various dollar stores, and a flagship workshop for XCharge Technologies, an electric vehicle charging company. Despite the city’s revenue quadrupling to $65 million with the influx of residents and businesses, some locals are frustrated with the population surge.
Heat-Related Challenges and Relocation Due to Overcrowding
Local construction crews have been severely affected by the extreme heat. “I’ve seen people completely black out. I’ve blacked out myself,” said Alex Stockton, who oversees construction in Kyle. His crew receives only one 30-minute break per shift, but Stockton monitors them closely and allows additional rest if needed. “A lot of companies don’t like that style. They come by and say, ‘Why’s he sitting there?’ I’m like, ‘I don’t know, so he doesn’t die?’” Stockton said.
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Bill Curran, who moved into a new Kyle home in 2022, has moved to Austin due to the heat and overcrowding. Curran noted that his 45-minute commute grew to an hour and he could only work out early in the morning for safety reasons.
