Published: August 22, 2008 11:09 am      

City set to back off Stage 1 water rules

Recent rains boosted Edwards levels

San Marcos stage 1 drought restrictions will be lifted effective Sunday, following several days of generous rainfall which have resulted in higher water levels in the Edwards Aquifer.

On Thursday, the J-17 index well level, located at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, measured 673.1 feet above mean sea level (msl).

The 10-day average was 669.7 feet msl, which is above the stage 1 trigger level of 660 feet msl.

San Marcos has been under drought restrictions since June 16 due to lack of rainfall and resulting low aquifer levels.

"We have received some badly needed rain, but we'll need a lot more before we can say the drought is definitely over," said Tom Taggart, City Water/Wastewater Utilities director. "We still have plenty of hot days ahead, and without additional rainfall we anticipate the aquifer could fall below the trigger level in five to seven weeks. We are also approaching fall which is normally more prone to rainfall."

Taggart added, "It's essential that we continue to use water wisely in order to delay a return to water restrictions. "We do believe, however, that conditions are sufficiently improved to give our residents a break and allow them to water with fewer restrictions."

The city will revert to the year-round water conservation rules which are in effect at all times unless replaced by stricter stage restrictions.



The year-round rules have the following provisions:

• Waste of water is prohibited.

• Irrigation with sprinklers in prohibited during daytime hours between 10 a.m. and 8p.m.

• At-home car washing is allowed any day and at any time but must be done using a hand-held bucket or hose equipped with a positive shutoff device. Charity car washes are prohibited.

• Use of non-recirculating decorative water features such as fountains and ponds is prohibited.

Irrigation with hand-held bucket, hand-held hose, soaker hose or drip irrigation is allowed at any time.

Other uses such as filling swimming pools, washing impervious surfaces and foundation watering are allowed but should be limited.

Full text of the rules is available on the city of San Marcos Web site, www.ci.san-marcos.tx.us/Departments/WWW.

For more information, call contact Jan Klein, Water Conservation coordinator, at 393-8010.