San Marcos enacted stage 3 drought restrictions on April 20. The move reduces the amount of time sprinklers can be used and bans the filling of swimming pools and use of decorative water features. The stage 3 restrictions are automatically put in place when the 10-day average level of the Edwards Aquifer drops below 640 feet above sea level. According to a city press release, the aquifer has been dropping between half and one foot each day since the spring irrigation season began. On April 10, the 10-day average dropped to 639.7 feet. San Marcos has received about 3.2 inches of rainfall this year, according to the city's data. Jan Klein, conservation director for the city of San Marcos, said the city is offering rebates to help defray the costs of installing low-flow toilets and high efficiency washing machines. The city also provides free showerheads and faucet aerators. Klein said early indications show that an El Nino—a meteorological event that typically brings heavy rain to Texas—may be developing, but it would not bring rain until after the summer. "From everything that I've heard, it looks like we're not expecting any relief in the next few months," Klein said. "We're going to have to get through summer, and it's going to be hot and dry." Klein said city residents can visit the city's website to learn more about the restrictions.