San Antonio Among Numerous Texas Cities With Drought Water Use Restrictions

Some South Texas cities have started restricting water usage due to dropping Edwards Aquifer levels amid drought conditions.

The Edwards Aquifer Authority this week announced Stage 1 pumping restrictions after the 10-day average level of an index well dropped below the minimum 660 feet.

Permit holders in Bexar (bayr) County, including San Antonio, plus Atascosa (a-tuhs-KOH’-suh), Caldwell, Comal (KOH’-mal), Guadalupe, Hays and Medina counties must reduce their authorized pumping.

The San Antonio Water System , with no drought restrictions since October, will allow outdoor watering only before 11 a.m. and after 7 p.m. one day per week, based on street addresses. Watering days begin and end at midnight.

San Marcos begins similar restrictions Sunday.

Experts say lack of rain and above-average temperatures are putting pressure on groundwater sources across the U.S. Southern Plains.