Edwards Aquifer Authority declares Stage 5 drought restrictions

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Edwards Aquifer Authority has enacted Stage 5 water restrictions, the most severe on its scale.

Stage 5 is triggered when the J-17 index well in Bexar County drops below 625 feet above mean sea level. As of Friday, the 10-day average at the well was 624.7 feet.

In a press release, the EAA said the well's water level is 33 feet below the historical average. The last time the level was this low was in June 1990. The only time it dropped lower was during the 1956 drought, the most severe in Texas history.

The restrictions apply to the San Antonio Pool of the EAA's jurisdiction, which includes groundwater permit holders in parts of Atascosa, Bexar, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays and Medina counties. Those customers are now required to reduce water withdrawal amounts by 44%.

“These reductions apply to all Edwards Aquifer groundwater permit holders authorized to pump more than three acre-feet annually,” the release said. “This includes industrial and agricultural users, as well as water utilities authorized to pump water from the Edwards Aquifer for delivery to their respective customers.”