The Hill Country Underground Water Conservation District board of directors voted Aug. 8 to declare a Stage 4 Drought, which is termed as “critical.”

The district recommends a 20% reduction in daily water demands, and a 40% in maximum daily demands.

The district encourages all permit holders, including historic wells, to comply.

For residential wells, the district recommends outdoor watering be limited to one day a week during this prolonged drought — not only the citizens of Gillespi...