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SAWS officials went to City Council today to request a change in the drought ordinance, raising Stage 1 triggers – as well as Stages 2 and 3 – by 10 feet.

While San Antonio continues to be in the grips of what the U.S. Geological Survey classifies as an 'exceptional' drought, the new drought triggers approved by Council are an important part of a long-term water management program.

"This drought trigger change is about more than the exceptional drought circumstances we are in today," said SAWS Conservation Director Karen Guz. "It is about how we manage the cycle of weather we have in San Antonio.  In San Antonio's semi-arid climate, we can expect to have one year out of every three be dry.

"Changing drought triggers will save San Antonio 2.5 billion gallons of water over the typical summer period of 2 to 3 months. At today's prices, if SAWS purchased additional Edwards water rights for the same amount of water, it would cost $46 million."

While revising the aquifer level at which the city goes into drought restrictions may mean that we're in watering restrictions more often, watering one time per week would still allow citizens to maintain their landscaping. Even under Stage 2 – which now would be triggered by a J-17 level of 650 feet (the previous trigger for Stage 1 watering restrictions) – citizens will still be able to water once a week but with reduced watering hours.

The revised drought triggers also will align San Antonio with Edwards Aquifer Authority restrictions.

"During the last legislative session, the EAA triggers were changed from 650 feet mean sea level to 660 feet mean sea level for Stage 1," noted Guz. "This means that at Stage 1 all permitted pumpers, like SAWS, must reduce pumping by 20 percent when Stage 1 is declared by EAA. Losing 20 percent of our primary supply is a major operational challenge.  This drought trigger change is one of the tools we will use to manage the issue."

The new drought triggers will be effective immediately.