New Braunfels Utilities has resumed its enforcement of watering restrictions as water levels in the Edwards Aquifer continues to decrease and nearby cities might not be too far behind.
The central Texas city, just 30 miles away from San Antonio, has a lower threshold for when drought restrictions should apply. While San Antonio Water System is beholden to a 10-day average that dictates restrictions, New Braunfels immediately imposes a once-a-week sprinkler/irrigation use rule once the water level dips below 660 feet.
On June 9, SAWS announced that the aquifer was above 660 feet. For the first time since 2012, Stage 2 restrictions were lifted. The city has had some type of water restrictions in place since 2011.
As of this morning, the 10-day average was back down to 660.8 feet and SAWS staff has already begun to organize public notices that would bring back Stage 1 drought restrictions after less than three weeks of less-restrictive Year-Round watering policy, said SAWS spokesperson Anne Hayden on Tuesday. “Because SAWS has to stay within pumping limits, we’re constantly looking at the Edwards (Aquifer) level and restrictions. … This is not a crisis, just a way we manage our water (demand).”
Hayden said staff is expecting to have to reinstate Stage 1 restrictions sometime this week – depending, of course on the weather. Some rain is expected over the weekend, but temperatures will likely remain in the double digits into August.
Meanwhile, some residents and conservationists are asking if SAWS customers should permanently follow Stage 1 or even Stage 2 drought restrictions given South Texas’ propensity for drought.
Annalisa Peace, executive director of the nonprofit Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA), said that since Stage 2 is manageable – as evidenced by implementation for the last three years – it should become the new standard for year-round restrictions.
“People get confused when you keep changing it for one,” Peace said. “And secondly, when you put in well-thought restrictions, people change their business (and home) models of water use to make due.”
Stage 2 drought restrictions tighten the times irrigation and sprinkler lawn watering is allowed, requires hotels and motels to offer a “linen/towel change on request only” program, and maintains a long list of other restrictions from Stage 1. The current Year-Round restrictions allow for more non-essential outdoor water use. However, it’s always illegal to waste water. Click here to learn more about water rules.
SAWS created an online survey to find out how the community would feel about imposing Stage 1 or Stage 2 restrictions year round.
Click here to take the survey, which takes less than a few minutes to complete.
“When restrictions were lifted, there was a wide range of reactions we heard from the public and even from professionals in the landscape and irrigation industry. While some people were thrilled to have the freedom to water when it is convenient, others felt that following the once per week schedule had become normal and should remain in place,” stated SAWS Conservation Manager Dana Nichols in an email earlier this month. “The survey was created to give our community the opportunity to let us know how they feel.”
*Featured/top image: SAWS headquarters at 2800 US-281. Photo by Iris Dimmick.
Related Stories:
SAWS Survey: Should Year-Round Watering Rules be More Strict?
San Antonio Drought Restriction Lifted, Conservation Still Encouraged
SAWS Seeks Committee, Public Input for Proposed Rate Structure
Amen! Seriously, how hard is it to realize your 1/4 -1/2 acre lot does not need to be solid sod. What is people’s obsession with having an entire lot covered in turf grass. It’s irresponsible and will not work in South Texas! Texas ASLA , someone in this organization can help you get started towards a smarter landscape
I pitched an idea to SAWS many years ago when I was CEO of Creative link. I will never understand why saws does not use the meters already in place to bill you for water to penalize for over usage versus have police and Saws patrols on salary enforce. The idea I had was backed by me able to waste water in my house 24/7/365 but not use outside except one day a week. I did not get to choose the day, it was chosen for me. Thursday evenings I have always been full so I could not water but that does not matter because I was assigned that day according to my address. This all sounds like rules in middle school when I was a kids. The meter tells them what was used. No humans or salary needed.
Maybe San Antonio can assume a leadership position in this state and show how to conserve our finite resources. We need to be stewards and protect our aquifer drawdown for the next generations. Maybe it’s time to restructure our stages and restrictions in a forward manner. The future matters and so does conservation and water management
The Europeans quit serving water in restaurants decades ago. It’s a simple step Tx is in a drought every 3.2 years (historical average) and the steps to conservation don’t have to be created, other parts of the world already implement obvious changes that prevent waste