San Marcos to enter Stage 1 drought restrictions

The City of San Marcos will enter Stage 1 drought restrictions effective this Sunday, March 13^th at noon. Stage 1 is implemented when the 10-day average Edwards Aquifer index well level falls below 660 feet above mean sea level (msl).

On March 9^th the 10-day average aquifer level was at 659.7 feet and the daily reading was 658.6 feet.

Stage 1 drought rules restrict the 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. Waste of 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. 

“We had a dry winter and are already an inch behind in rainfall for this time of year,” says Tyler Hjorth, Director of the City of San Marcos Utilities Department.  “We have a long, hot, and probably dry summer ahead of us so we need to do what we can now to protect our precious water resources.”   

For more information please visit the City of San Marcos website at www.sanmarcostx.gov/drought or call 512-393-8310.