SAN ANTONIO -- We are finally getting some much-needed rainfall. The recent rainfall has brought the aquifer up about 3 feet.
We are entering a few months where we typically only see 2-3 inches per month. While only a couple days in, July rainfall is off to a slightly above normal start. On the flip side, water usage will start to drop off a bit over the months to come.
June and July are usually high usage months, just due to agricultural purposes, which account for a third of water usage - not to mention the summertime heat.
"Right now we are in the highest demand part of the year, so typically this month of the year the aquifer's at its most stressed, but it's also towards the end of that period, so over the next few weeks and with this rain we expect to see things start to level off and if historical averages are coming into play, it should start to go up at the end of the month or in August," said Jim Winterle, director of modeling and data management for the Edwards Aquifer Authority.
As the usage goes down, the level shouldn't drop as fast. Of course any rain into the recharge zone will help the level go up.
"Well, hoping for rain is always good but conserving in the meantime - the more we use the faster the aquifer goes down. So if we can hold back on watering our lawns, follow the recommendations that San Antonio Water Authority Systems puts out for watering on your assigned days, that seems to help things," Winterle said.
The Edwards Aquifer remains in Stage 2 so continue to use the SAWS water restrictions that are already in place.
San Antonio Water System restrictions:
Watering with an irrigation system or sprinkler is allowed only once a week from 7-11 a.m. and 7-11 p.m. on your designated watering day as determined by the last number of your street address.
Last digit of address watering day:
- 0 or 1: Monday
- 2 or 3: Tuesday
- 4 or 5: Wednesday
- 6 or 7: Thursday
- 8 or 9: Friday
- Areas without a street address water on Wednesday.
- Watering on the weekends is not allowed.
