The Edwards Aquifer Authority on Thursday declared a decrease to Stage 3 Critical Period Management permit reductions for counties under the purview of the Edwards Aquifer Authority–including Atascosa, Bexar, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays, and Medina counties within the San Antonio Pool as of Wednesday, Nov 1.
In a press release, it was officially confirmed that the 10-day rolling average at Comal Springs was 103 cubic feet per second (cfs), the J-17 index well 10-day rolling average was 634.6 feet above mean sea level (ft msl), and the 10-day rolling average for the San Marcos Springs was 88 cfs.
Therefore, the EAA formally declares a decrease to Stage 3 permit reductions retroactively on Wednesday, Nov.1.
Under Stage 3 reductions the EAA Critical Period Management Plan for the San Antonio Pool requires Edwards groundwater permit holders in Atascosa, Bexar, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays and Medina counties to reduce their annual authorized pumping by 35 percent.
These reductions apply to all Edwards Aquifer groundwater permit holders authorized to pump more than three acre-feet annually.
This includes industrial and agricultural users, as well as, water utilities authorized to pump water from the Edwards Aquifer for delivery to its respective customers. All affected permit holders must also report their pumping totals to the EAA on a monthly basis.
Residents and businesses within those counties who receive their water from a public water system should follow their respective water provider's directives regarding water use practices.
It should be noted that the EAA does not enforce lawn watering activities or other general water limitations enacted.
Any enforcement of such activities or limitations is enforced by a municipality. The EAA does not regulate the general public, but instead regulates Edwards well owners with withdrawal permits authorizing their right to pump from the aquifer.
The EAA is a groundwater conservation district that manages, enhances and protects the Edwards Aquifer, a major groundwater system serving approximately two-and-onehalf million South Central Texans.
The EAA jurisdiction spans across 8 counties including Uvalde, Medina, Bexar, and parts of Atascosa, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Comal and Hays counties.
