San Marcos entering Stage 1 drought restrictions

SAN MARCOS, Texas - The City of San Marcos has announced they will be entering Stage 1 drought restrictions on Sunday, July 14. 

The restrictions come as a response to dropping aquifer levels. Stage 1 is implemented when the 10-day average Edwards Aquifer index well level falls below 660 feet above mean sea level (msl). The city says on Thursday. July 9 the 10-day average aquifer level was at 659.8 feet and the daily reading was 658.1 feet.   

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“We have had a dry year so far, and increasing temperatures mean people are watering more,” said Tom Taggart, Director of the Public Services Department. “We have a long, hot summer in front of us, so it’s very important that we do everything we can to conserve our water supplies now in order to avoid additional restrictions later.”  

Stage 1 drought restrictions include: 

• Sprinklers are limited 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. 
• At-home car washing, washing of impervious surfaces, and foundation watering to one day per week.
• Wasting water is prohibited. 
• Hand watering and using soaker hoses or drip irrigation is allowed on any day and at any time. 

You can find out more about the Stage-1 drought restrictions here.