Stage One Drought Restrictions Continue
(4/10/09)
The long, dry spell has finally triggered water restrictions. San Antonio City Manager Sheryl Sculley made the official declaration of Stage One, April 10 at City Hall.
Also on hand were SAWS President & CEO Robert R. Puente, BexarMet spokesman Nathan Riggs, Roland Ruiz, spokesperson for Edwards Aquifer Authority, and Brad Groves, spokesperson for Trinity Glenrose Aquifer Authority.
While several different area water agencies were represented in the announcement, everyone agreed that by pulling together as a region, the current dry spell can be effectively managed.
Stage One of the city’s drought plan is triggered when the level of the Edwards Aquifer drops to 660 feet or below at the J-17 monitoring well near Ft. Sam Houston. As of Friday morning, the official aquifer reading was 660.0. With ongoing predictions of dry weather, the decline is expected to continue.
The major difference people will notice in Stage One is the one-day-per-week landscape watering schedule. Watering with a sprinkler or irrigation system is allowed only before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. on the assigned day, as determined by the last number of the resident's street address:
0 or 1 – Monday
2 or 3 – Tuesday
4 or 5 – Wednesday
6 or 7 – Thursday
8 or 9 – Friday
Remember: the watering day begins and ends at midnight; overnight watering is not allowed.
According to the city’s Aquifer Management Plan ordinance, the level must stay above 660 ft. for 30 days to end Stage One water restrictions.
Details on Stage One rules are available online at www.saws.org/drought.
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