From the city of San Marcos
San Marcos stage 1 drought restrictions will be lifted effective Sunday, August 24 following several days of generous rainfall which have resulted in improved aquifer levels.
On Thursday, August 21 the J-17 index well level, located in San Antonio, measured 673.1 feet above mean sea level (msl). The 10-day average was 669.7 feet msl, which is above the stage 1 trigger level of 660 feet msl.
San Marcos has been under drought restrictions since June 16 due to lack of rainfall and resulting low aquifer levels.
“We have received some badly needed rain, but we’ll need a lot more before we can say the drought is definitely over,” said Tom Taggart, City Water/Wastewater Utilities Director. “We still have plenty of hot days ahead, and without additional rainfall we anticipate the aquifer could fall below the trigger level in five to seven weeks. We are also approaching fall which is normally more prone to rainfall.”
Taggart added, “It’s essential that we continue to use water wisely in order to delay a return to water restrictions.. “We do believe, however, that conditions are sufficiently improved to give our residents a break and allow them to water with fewer restrictions.”
The city will revert to the year-round water conservation rules which are in effect at all times unless replaced by stricter stage restrictions
The year-round rules have the following provisions:
Full text of the rules is available on the city’s Web site here. For more information, please contact Jan Klein, Water Conservation Coordinator, at (512) 393-8010.