Falling aquifer level triggers Stage 1 water restrictions in San Marcos

The Edwards Aquifer Authority declared Stage 1 mandatory pumping reductions the same day for the San Antonio pool of the Edwards Aquifer.

The City of San Antonio has already entered Stage 1 restrictions and the Uvalde Pool of the region is in Stage 2.

The Edwards Aquifer, the underground source of water for more than 2 million Central Texans, also produces the San Marcos and Comal Rivers. The region was under drought restrictions for much of 2011, beginning in April and reaching Stage 2 restrictions in the summer.

According to information provided by the city, San Marcos draws about 20 percent of its annual water supply from the Edwards Aquifer and 80 percent from surface water from Canyon Lake.

San Marcos has four stages based on the severity of drought conditions. Residents or business owners who violate the restrictions are subject to criminal penalties ranging from $100 to $2,000 and civil penalties up to $1,000.

For details about the city's drought status and rules, go to www.sanmarcostx.gov/water/ or call Jan Klein, conservation coordinator, at 393-8310.

Aquifer levels and springflow conditions are published daily on the EAA website, www.edwardsaquifer.org.

Stage 1 water restrictions

Waste of water is prohibited.

Irrigation with sprinklers and automatic sprinkler irrigation systems is allowed one day per week on a designated weekday between midnight–10 a.m. and 8 p.m.–midnight. Designated weekdays are as follows:

Monday for addresses ending in 0 or 1.

Tuesday for addresses ending in 2 or 3.

Wednesday for addresses ending in 4 or 5.

Thursday for addresses ending in 6 or 7.

Friday for addresses ending in 8 or 9.

Upon written request to the conservation coordinator, customers may designate an alternate watering day, although sprinkling is allowed only one day a week.

Hand watering and irrigating with a soaker hose or drip irrigation system is allowed any day and any time. Hand watering must be done using either a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff device.

At-home car washing is allowed one day per week on the designated weekday and must be done using either a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff device.

Swimming pools located outdoors must have at least 25 percent of the water surface area covered when not in use.

Filling of new decorative water features is prohibited.

Washing of impervious surfaces is prohibited unless required for health and safety use.

Foundation watering is allowed any day and at any time.

Restaurants are allowed to serve water only upon request.

All other nonessential water uses must be is limited.