San Marcos lifts Stage 1 restrictions

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) - For the first time in 10 months, San Marcos will come out from under Stage 1 water restrictions.

But officials said the moves is not a signal that residents should not abandon good sense when it comes to water consumption.

Without additional rainfall, pumping and watering restrictions could return soon, said San Marcos Public Services Director Tom Taggart.

Taggart announced Monday that the City is lifting Stage 1 watering restrictions. The move followed action by the Edwards Aquifer Authority to declare the region out of the Stage 1 critical period. The management rules are based on aquifer levels as measured in the San Antonio index well.

”The efforts of our citizens to conserve water were very visibly reflected in our pumpage amounts throughout the summer,” Taggart said. “they did a great job of lowering the peaks and pumping curve.”

With Stage 1 lifted, San Marcos residents will return to year-round watering rules, which still limit outdoor watering for the community.

Year-round rules prohibit wasting water or outdoor watering with sprinklers between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. However, residents many water on any day before or after those restricted hours.