October 19th, 2009
San Marcos lifts Stage 1 water restrictions

SUBMITTED REPORT

San Marcos Stage 1 drought restrictions will be lifted effective at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 20 following recent rains that have resulted in improved aquifer levels.

San Marcos will return to the year-round water conservation rules which are in effect at all times unless a drought response stage has been declared. Year-round rules allow residents to use sprinklers any day except during the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

The J-17 index well level, located in San Antonio, measured 662.5 feet above mean sea level (msl) for the last 10 day average. The Edwards Aquifer Authority lifted stage 1 restrictions last week.

San Marcos has been under drought restrictions since April due to lack of rainfall and resulting low aquifer levels.

The year-round rules have the following provisions:

• Waste of water is prohibited.
• Irrigation with sprinklers in prohibited during daytime hours between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
• At-home car washing is allowed any day and at any time but must be done using a hand-held bucket or hose equipped with a positive shutoff device. Charity car washes are prohibited.
• Use of non-recirculating decorative water features such as fountains and ponds is prohibited.

Irrigation with hand-held bucket, hand-held hose, soaker hose or drip irrigation is allowed at any time. Other uses such as filling swimming pools, washing impervious surfaces and foundation watering are allowed.

Full text of the rules is available on the City of San Marcos website, sanmarcostx.gov. For information, please contact Jan Klein, Water Conservation Coordinator, at (512) 393-8310.

— FROM THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS/MELISSA MILLECAM