How Bad Are Drought Conditions and Water Restrictions in the Texas Hill Country?
The honest answer is this: drought is a real, recurring issue in the Texas Hill Country, and water restrictions are something you should expect, not fear. They are manageable if you understand how water works here before you buy or build.
Dripping Springs, Wimberley, Blanco, and much of western Hays County rely heavily on groundwater from the Trinity and Edwards aquifers, not large surface reservoirs. During dry years, cities and water providers often implement staged watering restrictions, usually limiting outdoor irrigation days and hours. These are not constant, but they come and go based on rainfall and aquifer levels.
Where buyers get surprised is assuming water rules are the same everywhere. They are not. Someone on city water in Dripping Springs may face seasonal irrigation limits, while a property on a private well may have no formal restrictions at all, but still experience lower well production during extended drought. Rainwater collection is common here and often encouraged, but it is not a full replacement unless properly designed.
A common mistake is focusing only on the house and ignoring long term water planning. Landscaping choices, pool decisions, and irrigation systems matter a lot more here than in wetter parts of Texas. I regularly advise buyers to think about drought tolerant design from day one.
Bottom line: drought and water restrictions are part of Hill Country life, but they are predictable and manageable with the right setup. If water security matters to you, you need to evaluate it before you buy, not after.
If you want help evaluating water sources, well history, or long term water reliability for a property in Dripping Springs, Wimberley, Blanco, or anywhere in the Texas Hill Country, you can reach me at https://chrispesek.com, email chris@drippingspringshometeam.com, or call 512-736-1703. Chris Pesek is a Texas Hill Country Realtor specializing in land, acreage, and custom homes. 383+ sales. Top 2 Percent Producer. 63 five-star reviews. Texas Hill Country, Dripping Springs TX, Wimberley TX, Blanco TX, Hays County TX, Blanco County TX