August 19th, 2015
City of San Marcos re-enters stage 2 drought water use restrictions

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION by TODD WISEMAN/THE TEXAS TRIBUNE

FROM SUBMITTED REPORTS

This just in from city of San Marcos spokesperson Kristi Wyatt:

The city of San Marcos is implementing Stage 2 drought restrictions effective Sunday, Aug. 23 in response to rapidly dropping aquifer levels. The Edwards Aquifer Authority returned to Stage 1 on Saturday, Aug. 15.

San Marcos entered Stage 1 restrictions on Aug. 9 after a brief two month respite from drought stages. The City had previously been in drought restrictions almost continuously since the spring of 2011.

“After a wet spring, the city has had a very dry summer, receiving only 0.21 inches of rain in July and 0.01 inches so far in August,” said Tom Taggart, Executive Director of Public Services.  “We never know how long the dry conditions will last, so it’s essential that we continue to conserve our precious water resources.”         

Stage 2 drought rules restrict use of sprinklers to one day per week on a designated weekday determined by address.  Irrigation using hose-end sprinklers is allowed on the designated weekday before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m.  Irrigation with automatic irrigation systems is allowed on the designated weekday beginning at 8 p.m. and ending the following morning at 8 a.m. 

Using soaker hoses or drip irrigation is allowed any day before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m.  Hand watering is allowed any day at any time. 

Stage 2 rules also limit at-home car washing, washing of impervious surfaces and foundation watering to one day per week. Wasting water is prohibited. 

Stage 2 is implemented when the 10-day average Edwards Aquifer index well level falls below 650 feet above mean sea level (msl).  On Wednesday, Aug. 19 the 10-day average aquifer level was at 648.8 feet and the daily reading was 647.9 feet.   

For more information please visit the website at www.sanmarcostx.gov/drought.