In the 2017 plan, San Marcos was projected to have enough water supply to meet the demand of 57.38 acre-feet, or ac-ft, per day.
However, after updated population projections, San Marcos now anticipates requiring 102.8 ac-ft per day by 2075, according to San Marcos Utilities Director Tyler Hjorth’s update at a City Council work session Jan. 21.
With the new projections, the amount of water residents would need could exceed the city’s supply by 2050.
What are the options?
One mitigation strategy includes continuing to expand the Alliance Regional Water Authority project, which involves the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer and Carrizo Water Treatment Plant, according to a city news release.
Paul Kite, assistant director of utilities for water and wastewater in San Marcos, said the ARWA partnership significantly helps the city and will provide additional water resources in the future.
ARWA expansions will be done in phases and are expected to provide around 27.01 ac-ft more per day by 2040, according to the Jan. 21 City Council presentation. Additionally, the Canyon Regional Water Authority, through the Hays Caldwell Treatment Plant, is set to contribute 3.59 ac-ft per day by 2025.
San Marcos Utilities Director Tyler Hjorth noted that the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority is exploring seawater desalination. If new water supplies are not secured, the city plans to expand nonpotable and potable recycled water use.
Legislative approach
State legislators are working on solutions to support water infrastructure across the state.
Sen. Charles Perry is pushing for $5 billion to help local utilities purchase more water and upgrade infrastructure, with an additional $1 billion annually for the state water fund, according to previous reporting by Community Impact.
However, some believe that current state legislation may be exacerbating water infrastructure problems. Virginia Parker, executive director of the San Marcos River Foundation, is particularly concerned about Senate Bill 2038, which took effect in September 2023. The bill allows properties in a city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction to opt out of city authority through a petition or election.
Parker argues that developments leaving a city’s ETJ could face less stringent water regulations.
Going forward
Along with diversifying water resources, San Marcos is prioritizing conservation efforts.
Since Oct. 27, San Marcos has been under Stage 3 drought restrictions—the highest available status, which will remain in effect indefinitely. Under Stage 3, activities such as at-home car washing, filling decorative water features, filling swimming pools and washing impervious surfaces are prohibited. There are also restrictions on irrigation, according to the city website.
To support conservation, the city offers various water rebate programs, including rebates for rainwater harvesting and irrigation system upgrades. Rainwater harvesting can help collect water for outdoor plants.
Robert Mace, executive director of the Meadows Center, said that conservation may mean having more efficient toilets and bathroom fixtures, or watering as efficiently as possible outdoors.
