Regardless of the heavy downpours that kicked off this weekend, ongoing drought situations have saved San Antonio beneath water restrictions.
The Edwards Aquifer Authority, which determines water entry for allow holders together with the San Antonio Water System, downgraded its restrictions to a Stage 4 from extra limiting Stage 5 that was carried out a couple of week in the past. However officers warn we’re not out of the weeds simply but.
“Since 2020, when this drought started, we’ve this rainfall deficit of 55 inches,” mentioned Steven Siebert, San Antonio Water System’s supervisor of water sources, throughout a Municipal Utilities Committee presentation on Could 27. “So we would want about one other 25 rain occasions like yesterday to tug us again to common situations.”
Beneath Stage 4 restrictions, the authority reduces withdrawals from the aquifer by 40 p.c for the San Antonio space, that means SAWS has decreased entry to this water useful resource.
However not a lot modifications for San Antonio residents as SAWS has saved its Stage 3 water use restrictions. This stage prohibits water waste similar to garden watering overspray and runoff, and limits irrigation with an irrigation system, sprinklers or soaker hoses to as soon as per week between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. or between 9 p.m. and midnight. Drip irrigation techniques are allowed to function on Mondays and Fridays throughout these similar time durations and hand-held hose is allowed at any time.
Every residence has a chosen watering day linked to the final digit of the deal with.
In line with latest knowledge, the degrees of the Edwards Aquifer have reached a file low set within the Fifties throughout probably the most extreme drought in Texas within the Fifties, Siebert mentioned. This led to the latest Stage 5 restrictions, which had minimize SAWS entry by 44 p.c.
“That is about as dangerous as a drought can get, what we’re experiencing right now,” he mentioned.
Diversifying water sources with tasks such because the growth of the recycled water system and lowering loss by addressing sewer overflows, are key to make sure that the town can meet the water wants of the rising variety of residents, he added.
“A major goal of the 2025 water administration plan is to cut back water loss all through the distribution system,” Siebert mentioned. “Our aim is to attain a 50 p.c water loss discount by 2035.”
Karen Guz, vp of conservation for SAWS, advised the committee that present conservation efforts have been profitable by schooling, group outreach and enforcement. Violations linked to water conservation decreased by 54 p.c between 2023 and 2024, she mentioned.
“I credit score numerous that to folks simply understanding what is going on,” Guz mentioned.
