Stricter watering rules will not be implemented
Although the water level at the Edwards Aquifer J-17 index well is steadily dropping and the Edwards Aquifer Authority has declared Stage 3, the San Antonio Water System has consulted with the City of San Antonio’s City Manager and is not recommending Stage 3 watering rules for its customers.
The utility’s diverse non-Edwards water supplies such as the Vista Ridge project, stored water at the Aquifer Storage and Recovery site and continued customer compliance with Stage 2 rules will make up for the reduced Edwards pumping requirements that affect pumpers only.
The EAA pumping cutbacks, which were triggered when the 10-day average of the J-17 well reached 640 feet, will not affect SAWS customers at this time since SAWS has demonstrated that it can meet cutbacks without stricter rules.
“SAWS has worked for 30 years to prepare for these kinds of Edwards cutbacks,” said Robert R. Puente, SAWS President and CEO. “We are well prepared with diversified water resources and reasonable watering rules in place.
“We have been through this before and have not needed to go into Stage 3,” he continued. “We can manage this again together.”
SAWS has significantly diversified San Antonio’s water supplies and now the Edwards Aquifer represents only about half of our available drinking water because it is just one of the utilities’ nine water sources.
According to the city’s Aquifer Management Plan ordinance, coming out of drought stages can be considered 15 days after the aquifer is above the trigger level. More information on Stage 2 is at saws.org/stage2.
Watering days stay the same in Stage 2 as in Stage 1 – however, the hours during which watering is allowed are shortened. Watering with a sprinkler, irrigation system or soaker hose is allowed only between 7-11 a.m. and 7-11 p.m. on your designated day. Watering with a hand-held hose is still allowed any time on any day.
SAWS customers can take advantage of SAWS WaterSaver coupons and rebates to spruce up their yards and save money while saving water. Learn more at https://www.gardenstylesanantonio.com/coupons-and-rebates.