The City of San Marcos will end Stage 1 drought water restrictions effective Sunday, Jan. 10 and will return to year-round water conservation rules. Recent rains across the hill country area that recharge the Edwards Aquifer have moved water levels in the aquifer to above the Stage 1 trigger elevations.
Year-round water usage rules allow use of sprinklers any day before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Hand watering and using soaker hoses or drip irrigation is allowed on any day at any time.
At-home car washing may be done at any time but must be done using a bucket or hand-held hose with an automatic shut-off device. Washing impervious surfaces is also allowed any time but should be limited unless required for health and safety. Waste of water is prohibited at all times.
When the 10-day average Edwards Aquifer index well level rises 660 feet above mean sea level (MSL), normal year-round water usage is allowed. On January 5, 2021, the 10-day average aquifer level was at 663.5 feet and the daily reading was 663.8 feet.
Current aquifer levels and full text of the drought rules may be found on the City of San Marcos website at www.sanmarcostx.gov/drought.
For more information about water usage, contact jklein@sanmarcostx.gov. For media inquiries, contact communicationsinfo@sanmarcostx.gov.
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