The Edwards Aquifer Authority has declared Stage 4 Critical Period Management for Edwards groundwater permit holders in the San Antonio Pool of the EAA’s jurisdiction (Medina, Bexar, and parts of Atascosa, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Comal and Hays counties) based on a decline in aquifer conditions effective Tuesday, Aug. 12. Today the tenday average at the J-17 index well is 629.9 feet above mean sea level, which is within the Stage 4 threshold for the EAA Critical Period Management Plan. Additionally, the ten day average at Comal Springs is 105 cubic feet per second, and the San Marcos Springs ten day average is 102 cfs.
As shown in Figure 1, CPM Stage 4 for the San Antonio Pool reduces the annual authorized withdrawal amounts available to affected Edwards groundwater permit holders by 40% of their withdrawal amounts based on the number of days CPM is in effect for the indicated stage reduction. These reductions apply to all Edwards Aquifer groundwater permit holders authorized to pump more than three acre-feet annually. This includes industrial and agricultural users as well as water utilities authorized to pump water from the Edwards Aquifer for delivery to their respective customers. All affected permit holders must also report their pumping totals to the EAA on a monthly basis.
Residents and businesses within those counties who receive their water from a public water system should follow their respective water providers’ directives regarding water use practices. It should be noted that the EAA does not enforce lawn watering activities or other general water limitations beyond the curtailment of withdrawals from the Edwards Aquifer. Any enforcement of such activities or limitations is enforced by a municipality. The EAA does not regulate the general public but instead regulates Edwards well owners with withdrawal permits authorizing their right to pump from the aquifer.
The EAA is a groundwater conservation district that manages, enhances and protects the Edwards Aquifer, a major groundwater system serving approximately two-and-onehalf million South Central Texans. The EAA jurisdiction spans across 8 counties including Uvalde, Medina, Bexar, and parts of Atascosa, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Comal and Hays counties.
