Drought Restrictions

EAA Rules:

On December 11, 2007 the Edwards Aquifer Authority implemented revised Critical Period Management Plan Rules that require pumpers to increasingly limit their withdrawals whenever springflows or J-17 index well levels decline to the point where endangered species may be at risk. 

During dry periods in 1998 and 2000, the agency implemented emergency rules that mandated specific water-use cutbacks and also told people what they had to do, such as limit lawn watering.  The current EAA rules require percentage cutbacks but do not specify what steps cities must take to reduce pumping or when a city's own drought rules must be implemented. The result is a disconnect that many have criticized as a confusing mess for everyday people. For example, the EAA will declare a Stage I Critical Period when the J-17 reaches 660' above mean sea level, but the City of San Antonio does not declare a Stage I Alert until the J-17 reaches 650'. Basically, at least in the early stages of a drought, San Antonio feels it can meet the percentage cutbacks required by EAA without asking its customers to cut back at all.

Many other smaller municipalities in the area have also adopted restrictions similar to those in San Antonio.  However, there is no regional consistency regarding how the drought rules of various cities are declared or applied, so it is often difficult for citizens to know what rules apply directly to them.

Below are the EAA Critical Period Triggers, Stages, and Withdrawal Reductions:

San Antonio's Rules: 

Cities may adopt whatever measures they deem necessary to meet the pumping reductions required by the Edwards Aquifer Authority.  Below are the restrictions that San Antonio has adopted. If you live outside San Antonio, check with your local municipality or county agency to determine what restrictions apply to you.

San Antonio Year-Round Restrictions:

• Water waste is prohibited at all times. Allowing water to run off into a gutter, ditch, or drain or failing to repair a controllable leak is considered water waste.
   
• Residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural Edwards Aquifer water users should use common sense and best practices to avoid water waste.
   
• Landscape watering with an irrigation system or sprinkler is permitted any day of the week between the hours of 8 p.m. and 10 a.m.
   
• Hand watering with a hand-held hose, drip irrigation or bucket is permitted any time of day.
   
• Washing impervious cover such as parking lots, driveways, streets or sidewalks is permitted, but should be done responsibly to avoid excessive runoff.
   
• Non-commercial washing of vehicles and mobile equipment (e.g. washing vehicles at a residence) is permitted any time. Use of an automatic shut-off nozzle or bucket of 5 gallons or less is recommended to prevent water waste.
   
• The use of commercial vehicle wash facilities is permitted any day.

San Antonio Stage I Restrictions:

• Water waste is prohibited at all times. Water waste includes allowing water to run off into a gutter, ditch, or drain; or failing to repair a controllable leak.
   
• You should reduce water consumption by any means available.
   
• All non-public swimming pools must have a minimum of 25 percent of the surface area covered with evaporation screens when not in use. Inflatable pool toys or floating decorations may be used.
   
• Hand watering with a hand-held hose, soaker hose, drip irrigation, bucket or watering can is permitted any time and any day.
   
• Washing impervious cover such as parking lots, driveways, streets or sidewalks is prohibited. Health and safety exceptions to this rule may be requested from SAWS in writing.
   
• Residential washing of vehicles or other equipment is allowed only on assigned watering days and times. A hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle or bucket of five gallons or less may be used. Water should not be allowed to run into the street.
   
• The use of commercial car wash facilities is allowed any day.
   
• Operators of golf courses, athletic fields and parks must submit a conservation plan to SAWS. For submittal requirements operators should contact SAWS Conservation Department at 704-SAVE. Golf courses, athletic fields and parks may not irrigate between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.
   
• Landscape areas on golf courses not directly "in play" are required to follow one-day-per-week watering based on address unless otherwise instructed by SAWS.
   
• Use of fountains, waterfalls, or other aesthetic water features — outdoors or indoors — is prohibited.
   
• Watering with an irrigation system or sprinkler is allowed only once a week before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m. on your designated watering day as determined by your address:

Stage I restrictions continue until there is an announcement in the newspaper that Stage I has been canceled or that Stage II is in effect.

San Antonio Stage II Restrictions:

Stage Two Alert begins when the Aquifer level reaches 640 feet mean sea level at the monitored well.

• Filling of new and existing swimming pools is prohibited unless at least 30% of the water is obtained from a source other than the Edwards Aquifer. In addition, refilling is permitted only if it has been drained for repairs.
   
• Conforming golf courses shall effect a 20% reduction of ET rate. Non-conforming golf courses shall use no more than 1.6 times their base usage. Accompanied by reduced irrigation times.
   
• Athletic fields shall reduce water use by an additional 5% from Stage 1 and have on with SAWS an approved conservation plan.
   
• Non-commercial washing of vehicles is permitted only on the assigned residential landscape watering day & times. Use of a commercial vehicle wash facility is permitted any day.

Stage 2 restrictions continue until there is an announcement in the newspaper that Stage 2 has been canceled or that Stage 3 is in effect.

San Antonio Stage III Restrictions:

Stage Three Alert begins when the Aquifer level reaches 630 feet mean sea level at the monitored well.

Stage 3 restrictions continue until there is an announcement in the newspaper that Stage 3 has been canceled.