The Edwards Aquifer Authority announced Oct. 27 it was returning to State 3 permitted pumping levels, an improvement from Stage 4 pumping limits declared for the San Antonio area on Oct. 8.

EAA officials said Oct. 26 the daily average spring flow for the Comal Springs was 111 cubic feet per second as of Oct. 25.

This, EAA officials said, resulted in a 10-day rolling average at Comal Springs of 100 CFS, the threshold for Stage 4 pumping within the aquifer authority’s described San Antonio pool, but within the threshold for Stage 3 rules.

EAA officials also said the 10-day rolling average for water levels at the J-17 index well was 632.2 feet above mean sea level on Oct. 26—above the threshold for Stage 4 for the San Antonio pool—prompting the EAA to return to Stage 3 pumping rules.