Recent rains did not relieve San Marcos

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) - San Marcos entered stage one drought restrictions on Tuesday at noon in response to the Edwards Aquifer Authority’s declaration of stage restrictions.

The EAA entered stage one on Monday due to low springflows at San Marcos springs.

Both the EAA and City of San Marcos enter stage one when spring flows and/or index well levels fall below designated triggers. The triggers for stage one occur when the ten day average J17 index well level falls below 660 feet above mean sea level or when the ten day average flow rate at San Marcos springs falls below 96 cubic feet per second.

On Tuesday, the San Marcos springs were flowing at 94 cfs, with a 10-day average of 94.1 cfs. In 2008 at this time, the springs were running at 154 cfs. The historical average for April is 176 cfs.

"We have been monitoring springflows closely over the past few months and have had a few well-timed rains that delayed stage restrictions in spite of the serious drought," said Tom Taggart, Director of the City of San Marcos Public Services Department. "Unfortunately, recent rains have not significantly affected the recharge zone."

The City of San Marcos receives 75 percent of its water supply from Canyon Lake and 25 percent from the Edwards Aquifer. Under EAA rules, aquifer pumpers are required to reduce water usage by 20 percent during stage one restrictions.

City of San Marcos stage one restrictions include the following:

• Waste of water is prohibited.
• Irrigation with sprinklers and automatic sprinkler irrigation systems is allowed only one day per week on the designated weekday between the hours of midnight to 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight. The designated weekday is as follows:

1. Monday for addresses ending in 0 or 1.
2. Tuesday for addresses ending in 2 or 3.
3. Wednesday for addresses ending in 4 or 5.
4. Thursday for addresses ending in 6 or 7.
5. Friday for addresses ending in 8 or 9.

• 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 only 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 non-essential water uses must be is limited.