Picture shows San Marcos River flow from Aquarena Springs Lake (San Marcos Springs) from June 2009.
SAN ANTONIO (June 18, 2009) – The Edwards Aquifer Authority today declared stage two of the region’s critical period management plan, further limiting how much groundwater can be pumped from the Edwards Aquifer across a seven-county area of south-central Texas.
Citing declining aquifer levels that are the result of a continuing drought and seasonal demand on the aquifer, the Authority declared stage two for Edwards groundwater users within the San Antonio Pool of the Edwards Aquifer region. This includes all of Bexar and Medina, and parts of Atascosa, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe and Hays counties. Uvalde County, which comprises the Uvalde Pool, is the only county within the Authority’s jurisdiction not affected by stage two reductions.
Edwards groundwater permit holders are required to cut back pumping from the aquifer by 30 percent off their authorized annual withdrawal amounts for the time stage two is in effect. The stage two reductions are 10 percent more than required under stage one. Under stages one and two, all affected permit holders also are required to report their pumping totals to the Authority on a monthly basis.
Secondary users of Edwards groundwater, such as residents and businesses who receive their water from a public utility system or water company, are encouraged to contact their water provider to find out how stage two reductions may affect them directly. More information on stage two requirements is available by calling the Authority’s critical period team at (866) 931-3239 or by visiting the Authority’s website at www.edwardsaquifer.org.
Source: Edwards Aquifer Authority Press Release
