Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk Tuesday ensured county residents that water quality along the Guadalupe River is safe for recreational use, but urged residents to “use good judgment” concerning water use.
Stolarczyk opened the Kendall County Commissioners Court meeting Aug. 12 with the report on water quality, after results of samples taken Aug. 4 in Comfort, Edge Falls and Waring were returned.
“All three levels came back below the threshold for recreational use,” Stolarczyk said. “We ask our residents to use good judgment when using the water because there was a lot of contaminants and other things in that water.” He said the county wanted to give assurance that water quality test were conducted — taken one month after the July 4 Guadalupe flooding that killed 139 people and damaged billions of dollars of property.
Levels in Kerrville were also tested for contamination and were found to be below the threshold, a find that Stolarczyk said was “moving in the right direction.”
“Below the threshold” indicates that the water quality parameter meets the required safe levels for both consumption and recreational activities like swimming.
Fire Marshal Brady Constantine later spoke about the county burn ban, which currently allows for burning countywide except for strategic areas along the Guadalupe.
Constantine clarified that the river area ban was put in place in order to help with search and rescue efforts after the historic flooding.
Constantine said the county’s Keetch-Byram Drought Index was at 452 — an index well within limits to keep the burn ban off.
“I would ask that we stay with what we have in place within the flood-affected areas,” he said. “I’d like to reevaluate as we continue managing the debris removal process.”
Constantine also reported there have been no issues with man-made fires or out-of-control burns.
Commissioners ruled in agreement with Constantine’s request to keep the burn ban off except in areas along the Guadalupe River.
Constantine warned that increased high temperatures and ongoing lack of precipitation might force a return to a countywide burn ban if the KBDI hits 600 or higher.
“Get burning in while you can,” Stolarczyk said. “You have a small window here.”
Constantine reminded residents to call the fire marshal’s office before they begin burning, to avoid emergency services being called out to their location. The Kendall County Fire Marshal’s office can be reached at 830-249-3721.
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