- The city is currently in Stage 4 water restrictions due to low levels in the Edwards Aquifer according to the Edwards Aquifer Authority. - Stage 4 mandates a 40% reduction in water usage. The city council is considering additional measures to help meet this reduction. - These potential additional measures include prohibiting new irrigation and pool permits, increased enforcement for watering violations, and implementing a drought surcharge fee for households and businesses that exceed their water limits.

1. ADMINISTRATION
Presented by:
Phil Laney
Assistant City Manager
STAFF REPORT ON STAGE 4 WATER RESTRICTIONS
ITEM # 7
AUGUST 14, 2023

2. SUMMARY
 City pumps potable groundwater exclusively
from Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA)
 EAA regulates usage & enacts restrictions when
capacity low due to drought or usage
 City in Stage 4 now
 In Stage 4, Council may consider further rules to
restrict groundwater use

3. BACKGROUND
 Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) exclusive
provider of City potable groundwater
 EAA provides water to 2.5 million people &
includes 8 counties, including all of Bexar Co.
 City mandated to follow EAA guidelines on
pumping capacity & when necessary, restrictions

4. BACKGROUND
 Edwards Aquifer Authority critical period /
reduction stage (Well J-17)
 Stage 1 <660 – 20% reduction
 Stage 2 <650 – 30% reduction
 Stage 3 <640 – 35% reduction
 Stage 4 <630 – 40% reduction
 Stage 5 <625 – 44% reduction
 Since 2000, Stage 4 reached three times: 2014,
2022 for 24 days & since July 21st

5. HISTORICAL AQUIFER LEVELS
Mar, 660.0
Jul, 667.8
Oct, 663.1 Dec, 664.1
Mar, 657.1
Jul, 634.0
Oct, 631.7
Dec, 637.2
Mar, 635.4
Jul, 630.8
Aug, 627.5
620
630
640
650
660
670
680
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Edwards Aquifer Authority – Average Water Level, 2021 to 2023
2021 2022 2023
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Stage 5

6. 2023 AQUIFER LEVELS
0 days 0 days
44 days
19%
157 days
70%
25 days*
11%
0 days
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
Stage 0 Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5
Days & % of Year in Drought Stages – 2023
 If in Stage 4 or 5 for remainder of year, 164 days total, or 45% of year

7. STAGE 4 REALITY
 EAA entered into Stage 4 on July 21st
 City mandated to meet 40% reduction per City
code
 EAA may assess penalties for over-pumping
 To meet 40% reduction, Ch. 19 in Code allows
 Rules for other stages to remain in effect
 Council may convene emergency session to consider
other rules
 Currently nothing in code addresses Stage 5 restrictions

8. PERMITTED WATER CAPACITY
City Pumping
from EAA
Annual Pumped
Amount (in Acre Ft.)
% of Max.
Capacity Used
2020 2,001 71%
2021 1,810 64%
2022 2,059 73%
2023 YTD 1,112 39%
 City water capacity purchased from EAA – 2,822 Acre Feet
 Permitted capacity reduced if pumping restrictions in place
2023 revised capacity with
pumping restrictions in place
Stage
through Year
End
Revised
Permitted
Capacity
% of Capacity
Used (as of
7/31/23)
Stage 3 1,841 60%
Stage 4 1,788 62%
Stage 5 1,742 64%
If current trends continue,
projecting est. 150 to 200 AF
more than revised allotment

9. POTENTIAL STAGE 4 REDUCTION MEASURES
 City has not adopted additional reduction
measures since entering Stage 4 on July 21st
 Several local communities implementing
additional measures
 Medina Co., Bandera Co., Kendall Co., Fair Oaks
Ranch, etc.
 The following measures have been adopted or
under consideration by neighboring communities

10. POTENTIAL STAGE 4 REDUCTION MEASURES
1. No new irrigation & swimming pool permits
2. Swimming pools under construction shall be filled
only with water from non-City or EAA source
3. No watering exceptions for new lawns or
landscaping (requests only to City Council)
4. No application for new, additional or increased-
in-size water service connections, meters or
service lines (new construction exempt)

11. POTENTIAL STAGE 4 REDUCTION MEASURES
5. Increased enforcement and penalties for watering
violators & repeat violators
6. Prohibit water wells for irrigation while under
Stage 4 restrictions
7. Adopt limits for issuance of well permits (zoning,
lot size, setbacks, etc.) & increase fees
8. Prohibit watering using automatic or manual
irrigation systems
9. Drought surcharge fee if use above limit

12. POTENTIAL DROUGHT SURCHARGE FEE
Surcharge Limit
(Gallons)
Minimum Surcharge
(per 1,000 gallons)
Maximum Surcharge
(per 1,000 gallons)
Residential
Stage 1 20,000 $5.00 $12.50
Stage 2 15,000 $5.00 $30.00
Stage 3 10,000 $7.50 $40.00
Stage 4 & 5 7,500 $10.00 $80.00
Commercial/Multi-Family
Stage 1 50,000 $6.00 $12.50
Stage 2 40,000 $10.00 $30.00
Stage 3 30,000 $10.00 $40.00
Stage 4 & 5 20,000 $10.00 $80.00

13. NEXT STEPS
 Aug. 14 – Public hearing; Council & staff to provide
feedback on preferred water reduction measures
 Aug. 28 – Public hearing; Council to consider
measures
 September 11 – Workshop on water/sewer rate
study & water meter assessment
 September-October – Council to consider ordinance
updating Ch. 19 of Code for Stage 5 restrictions