San Antonio has been under Stage 1 drought restrictions for less than a month, but dry, hot conditions have caused the Edwards Aquifer 10-day average to drop to 650 feet, requiring Stage 2 water restrictions.  Per city ordinance, City Manager Sheryl Sculley in consultation with Robert R. Puente, president/CEO of San Antonio Water System, declared Stage 2 management rules are in effect as of Tuesday June 12, 2018.

Stage 2 of the city’s drought plan is triggered when the 10-day average of the Edwards Aquifer at the J-17 monitoring well drops to 650 feet or below. According to the city’s Aquifer Management Plan ordinance, coming out of drought stages can be considered 15 days after the aquifer is above the trigger. Puente notes that the watering restrictions are not suggestions – they are municipal laws that will be enforced. “During drought, SAWS focuses on education. Now that we have been in restrictions for three weeks, our customers have had the opportunity to get accustomed to drought rules once again,” he said. “Contracted police officers are patrolling and they can issue citations if they witness violations.”

Watering days stay the same in Stage 2 as in Stage 1, however the hours during which watering is allowed are shortened. Watering with a sprinkler, irrigation system or soaker hose is allowed only between 7-11 a.m. and 7-11 p.m. on your designated day. Watering with a hand-held hose is still allowed any time on any day.
Watering days are determined by the last number of your address:

0 or 1 – Monday
2 or 3 – Tuesday
4 or 5 – Wednesday
6 or 7 – Thursday
8 or 9 – Friday

No watering on the weekends

If you observe water waste, the best way to report it is online at saws.org/waterwaste. Customers can also call SAWS Conservation at 210-704-SAVE (210-704-7283). Please provide as much information as possible, including location, time of day, a brief description of the problem, and how long it has been going on.

For more information about the ordinance and Stage 2 watering rules, visit saws.org/drought.