San Antonio’s plentiful rains this spring have yielded to long dry days and rapid drops in the Edwards Aquifer. The 10-day average for the Edwards at San Antonio’s monitoring well have dropped to 659.9, requiring a return to Stage 1 water restrictions effective Friday, July 14.
Today, per City ordinance, City Manager Sheryl Sculley in consultation with Robert R. Puente, President/CEO of San Antonio Water System (SAWS), declared Stage 1 management rules are in effect.
Stage 1 of the city’s drought plan is triggered when the 10-day average of the Edwards Aquifer at the J-17 monitoring well drops to 660 feet or below. According to the city’s Aquifer Management Plan ordinance, coming out of drought stages can be considered 15 days after the aquifer is above the trigger.
“While the rain we received earlier this year provided great recharge to the aquifer, it wasn’t enough to completely avoid drought restrictions,” Puente said. “We have an ample supply of water from the Edwards Aquifer as well as seven other sources, but state law requires us to cut back on pumping when the Edwards Aquifer drops to this level.”
Under Stage 1, outdoor watering with a sprinkler or irrigation system is allowed only before 11 a.m. and after 7 p.m., one day per week, as determined by the last number of your street address:
- 0 or 1 – Monday
- 2 or 3 – Tuesday
- 4 or 5 – Wednesday
- 6 or 7 – Thursday
- 8 or 9 – Friday
Watering days begin and end at midnight; overnight watering is not allowed. Water waste, such as water running down the street, is prohibited year-round. However, watering with a handheld hose is still allowed any day, any time.