San Marcos To Enter Stage 2 Restrictions, EAA Declares Stage 2 Pumping Restrictions

It was officially confirmed that the 10-day average at the index well in Bexar County dropped below the threshold of 650 feet.

The City of San Marcos will enter Stage 2 drought restrictions effective Sunday, June 17, at noon. The Edwards Aquifer Authority implemented Stage 2 on June 11. 

The Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) declared Stage 2 pumping restrictions for users within the San Antonio Pool on Sunday, June 10.

It was officially confirmed that the 10-day average at the index well in Bexar County dropped below the threshold of 650 feet. The EAA declares Stage 2 based on the continued decline of water levels and diminished springflow.

Stage 2 of the EAA drought plan requires Edwards groundwater permit holders in Atascosa, Bexar, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays and Medina counties to reduce their annual authorized pumping amount by 30 percent.

“Aquifer levels continue to decline very rapidly, between 1 to 2 feet per day,” said Tom Taggart, Executive Director of San Marcos Public Services.  “At this rate we could easily reach Stage 3 restrictions in just a few weeks, so we all need to really step up our conservation efforts.”  

San Marcos Stage 2 drought rules are similar to Stage 1 rules, with additional restrictions on irrigating with soaker hoses and drip and using decorative water features.

• Sprinkler use is still restricted to one day per week on the designated weekday determined by address. Irrigation using hose-end sprinklers is allowed on the designated weekday before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m.
  

 

• Irrigation with automatic irrigation systems is allowed on the designated weekday beginning at 8 p.m. and ending the following morning at 8 a.m. 

 

• Using soaker hoses or drip irrigation is allowed any day but must be done before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m. Hand watering is still allowed on any day and at any time. 

 

• The purpose of mandatory pumping reductions is to stabilize water levels and spring flow until rainfall replenishes the aquifer.

 

• Stage 2 reductions apply to all Edwards Aquifer groundwater permit holders authorized to pump more than three acre-feet annually. All affected permit holders must also report their pumping totals to the EAA on a monthly basis.

 

• Filling new decorative water features such as fountains is prohibited in Stage 2.  At-home car washing, washing of impervious surfaces and foundation watering continues to be limited to one day per week. 

For more information visit the website at www.sanmarcostx.gov/drought or call 512.393.8310.

Residents and businesses who receive water from a public water system are encouraged to contact their water provider directly to find out how Stage 2 reductions could affect them. More information on Stage 2 requirements is available by calling the EAA Critical Period Team at 866-931-3239 or by visiting the EAA website at https://www.edwardsaquifer.org

The Edwards Aquifer Authority manages, enhances and protects the Edwards Aquifer, a major groundwater system serving approximately 2 million South Central Texans.

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