Despite Aquifer Drop, San Antonio Still in Stage Two
(8/8/12)
The region continues to deal with dry conditions, causing the Edwards Aquifer level to drop below 640 feet. However, with the development of diverse water supplies, San Antonio Water System officials have determined that Stage Three drought restrictions can be delayed.
SAWS has increased production from its Twin Oaks Aquifer Storage and Recovery facility -- of both stored water and Carrizo Aquifer water -- to 20 million gallons per day, enough to supply almost 10 percent of San Antonio’s current daily demand. This will allow SAWS to continue meeting customer needs while easing pumping from the Edwards Aquifer.
“For now, our diverse portfolio of water supplies and the water smart ways of San Antonians enable us to delay Stage Three restrictions,” said Robert R. Puente, SAWS President/CEO. “With this delay, we hope to provide time for weather conditions to improve as we get closer to cooler, wetter fall weather.”
SAWS has not completely ruled out Stage Three for the year. Declaring additional drought restriction stages may still be an option if conditions do not improve. Officials continue to urge customers to be vigilant about their water use, to avoid facing once-every-other-week watering restrictions.
San Antonio will continue to manage water demand via Stage Two restrictions. Under Stage Two, watering with a sprinkler, soaker hose or irrigation system is allowed only during the hours of 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on your designated day, as determined by the last number of your street address.:
0 or 1 – Monday
2 or 3 – Tuesday
4 or 5 – Wednesday
6 or 7 – Thursday
8 or 9 – Friday
Watering days begin and end at midnight; overnight watering is not allowed. Watering with a handheld hose is still allowed at any time, but water with a bucket, soaker hose, or drip irrigation is only allowed during the hours of 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. More details on Stage Two and Stage Three restrictions are available at www.saws.org/drought.
| Back to SAWS News | Next: 'Water's Most Resourceful City' In National Spotlight – Again |
