The City of San Marcos is returning to Stage 1 drought restrictions effective August 9th in response to dropping aquifer levels. The Edwards Aquifer Authority returned to Stage 1 on July 31st.
San Marcos lifted restrictions on June 7th because of above-average spring rainfall. The City had previously been in drought restrictions almost continuously since the spring of 2011.
Stage 1-drought rules restrict use of sprinklers to one day per week on a designated weekday determined by address. Irrigation using hose-end sprinklers is allowed on the designated weekday before 10 am or after 8 pm. Irrigation with automatic irrigation systems is allowed on the designated weekday beginning at 8 pm and ending the following morning at 8 am.
Hand watering and using soaker hoses or drip irrigation is allowed on any day and at any time.
Stage 1 rules also limit at-home car washing, washing of impervious surfaces and foundation watering to one day per week. Wasting water is prohibited.
Full text of the Stage 1 rules can be found on the City of San Marcos website at www.sanmarcostx.gov/drought.
Stage 1 is implemented when the 10-day average Edwards Aquifer index well level falls below 660 feet above mean sea level (msl). On Thursday July 30th the 10-day average aquifer level was at 659.5 feet and the daily reading was 656.6 feet.
“It is essential that residents continue to conserve water” says Tom Taggart, Executive Director of City of San Marcos Public Services. “We had a wet spring and people may have become complacent, but it’s important to remember that drought is always just around the corner in our area.”
For more information, please visit the City of San Marcos website or call Jan Klein at 512-393-8310.