SAN MARCOS, Texas - The City of San Marcos will enter Stage 4 drought restrictions on Sunday, August 27 at noon.
The City says the aquifer levels have been continuing to drop over the past two months, with the 10-day average reaching 626.6 feet on Monday.
Stage 4 restrictions are triggered when the level falls below 630 feet.
"The extreme high heat and lack of rainfall continues to pose a challenge to our region," said Director of SMTX Utilities Tyler Hjorth. "We are hoping weather predictions will bring us a wetter than normal winter and replenish our water resources, but in the meantime, we must do everything we can as a community to protect the water supply we currently have available."
The City’s main water source, Canyon Lake, is experiencing near-historic low water levels below 70 percent capacity.
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Canyon Lake experienced historic low water levels in September 2009 at 892.7 feet. As of Monday 21, 2023, Canyon Lake has a current level of 893.07 feet.
The last time San Marcos was in Stage 4 drought restrictions was in 2014.
The new restrictions approved under Stage 4 drought restrictions include:
- Soaker hoses or drip irrigation is allowed one day per week on the designated weekday before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m.
- Hand watering is permitted on any day before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m.
- Use of sprinklers is limited to one day every other week designated weekday determined by address.
- Hose-end sprinklers are permitted on the designated weekday before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m.
- Automatic irrigation systems are allowed on the designated weekday beginning at 8 p.m. and ending the following morning at 4 a.m.
- Sprinkler usage is permitted every other week beginning August 28 through September 1. The sprinkler usage schedule will be updated monthly at sanmarcotx.gov/conservation.
- Stage 4 drought restrictions prohibit water waste including washing impervious surfaces, using decorative water features, and filling swimming pools.
- At-home car washing and foundation watering is allowed only one day per week. Variances for new landscape establishment are not issued in Stage 4.
More details of Stage 4 restrictions and all updates can be found on the City of San Marcos website at sanmarcostx.gov/conservation.