HAYS COUNTY - The Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) declared Stage 4 Critical Period Management permit reductions for counties within the San Antonio Pool including Hays.
On Saturday, Oct. 8, the daily mean spring flow for the previous day at Comal Springs was 92 cubic feet per second (cfs). The daily mean spring flow has resulted in a 10-day rolling average at Comal Springs of 99 cfs, which is below the threshold for Stage 4 within the San Antonio Pool.
The EAA Critical Period Management Plan for the San Antonio Pool requires Edwards groundwater permit holders in Atascosa, Bexar, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays and Medina counties to reduce their annual authorized pumping by 40%. These reductions apply to all Edwards Aquifer groundwater permit holders authorized to pump more than three acre-feet annually. This includes industrial and agricultural users, as well as water utilities authorized to pump water from the Edwards Aquifer for delivery to its respective customers. All affected permit holders must also report their pumping totals to the EAA on a monthly basis.
Residents and businesses within those counties who receive their water from a public water system should follow their respective water provider's directives regarding water use practices.
The EAA does not enforce lawn watering activities or other general water limitations enacted. Any enforcement of such activities or limitations is enforced by a municipality. The EAA does not regulate the general public, but instead regulates Edwards well owners with withdrawal permits authorizing their right to pump from the aquifer.
