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Drought restrictions: San Marcos to enter Stage 4

By FOX 7 Austin Digital Team
Published  August 21, 2023 1:09pm CDT
San Marcos
FOX 7 Austin

SAN MARCOS, Texas - The City of San Marcos will enter Stage 4 drought restrictions on Sunday, August 27 at noon.

The City says the aquifer levels have been continuing to drop over the past two months, with the 10-day average reaching 626.6 feet on Monday.

Stage 4 restrictions are triggered when the level falls below 630 feet.

"The extreme high heat and lack of rainfall continues to pose a challenge to our region," said Director of SMTX Utilities Tyler Hjorth. "We are hoping weather predictions will bring us a wetter than normal winter and replenish our water resources, but in the meantime, we must do everything we can as a community to protect the water supply we currently have available."

The City’s main water source, Canyon Lake, is experiencing near-historic low water levels below 70 percent capacity. 

UT researchers look to mitigate droughts in Central Texas

Drought conditions have had a real impact on Central Texas as Austin has been under Stage 1 water restrictions for nearly a year. But now University of Texas researchers are teaming up with the City of Austin to investigate the future of our water supply. FOX 7 Austin's John Krinjak gets details from Associate Professor Geeta Prasad at UT's Jackson School of Geosciences.

Canyon Lake experienced historic low water levels in September 2009 at 892.7 feet. As of Monday 21, 2023, Canyon Lake has a current level of 893.07 feet.

The last time San Marcos was in Stage 4 drought restrictions was in 2014.

The new restrictions approved under Stage 4 drought restrictions include:

  • Soaker hoses or drip irrigation is allowed one day per week on the designated weekday before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m.
  • Hand watering is permitted on any day before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m.
  • Use of sprinklers is limited to one day every other week designated weekday determined by address.
  • Hose-end sprinklers are permitted on the designated weekday before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m.
  • Automatic irrigation systems are allowed on the designated weekday beginning at 8 p.m. and ending the following morning at 4 a.m.
  • Sprinkler usage is permitted every other week beginning August 28 through September 1. The sprinkler usage schedule will be updated monthly at sanmarcotx.gov/conservation.
  • Stage 4 drought restrictions prohibit water waste including washing impervious surfaces, using decorative water features, and filling swimming pools.
  • At-home car washing and foundation watering is allowed only one day per week. Variances for new landscape establishment are not issued in Stage 4.

More details of Stage 4 restrictions and all updates can be found on the City of San Marcos website at sanmarcostx.gov/conservation.