San Antonio is dry. We need more water. Lots of it. With our continued drought conditions, this summer could be a long one when it comes to watching our yards dry up. That’s why, it is better to buy Smart WIFI Sprinkler Controller Installation in Oakland County MI which is the perfect solution to water problems in summer.
The Edwards Aquifer is our benchmark for all water restrictions and knowing how SAWS determines which stage we’re in and what that means to you can at least help you know when to water and how to help conserve the water we do have. There have been a few changes made to the SAWS restrictions for 2013.
Year Round Water Restrictions
- Residential fountains, both indoor and outdoor are allowed.
- Sprinklers are permitted any day of the week – before 10AM or after 8PM
- Watering with a hose and drip irrigation is allowed any time of day.
- Washing of parking lots, driveways, streets, or sidewalks is allowed, but you must not allow water to runoff.
- Waste water (runoff) is not allowed at all times.
Stage 1 Water Restrictions
When the Edwards Aquifer hits 660 feet (using a 10 day rolling average), Stage 1 Water Restrictions begin. Stage 1 can be cancelled after 15 days above the 660 foot mark.
- Residential fountains, both indoor and outdoor are allowed.
- Watering with a hose, soaker hose, or sprinkler is allowed once a week before 10AM or after 8PM on your designated watering day.
- Overnight watering is not allowed.
- Waste water (runoff) is not allowed at all times.
- All pools must have a minimum of 25% of their surface covered with evaporation screens or inflatable pool toys/decorations.
- Washing of parking lots, driveways, streets, or sidewalks is not allowed.
- You may wash your car once per week on Saturday or Sunday, but must not waste water. You may use SAWS-certified car washes any day of the week.
Stage 2 Water Restrictions
When the Edwards Aquifer hits 650 feet (using a 10 day rolling average), Stage 1 Water Restrictions begin. Stage 2 can be cancelled after 15 days above the 650 foot mark.
- All Stage 1 Water Restrictions apply.
- Watering with irrigation system, sprinkler, or soaker hose is allowed once a week from 7-11AM and 7-11PM on your designated watering day.
- You can water with drip irrigation systems or a 5 gallon bucket between 7-11AM and 7-11PM.
- Watering with a hose is allowed during any time on any day.
Stage 3 Water Restrictions
When the Edwards Aquifer hits 640 feet (using a 10 day rolling average), Stage 1 Water Restrictions begin. Stage 3 can be cancelled after 15 days above the 640 foot mark.
- All Stage 1 and Stage 2 Water Restrictions apply.
- Watering with irrigation system, sprinkler, or soaker hose is allowed is allowed every other week from 7-11AM and 7-11PM on your designated watering day.
- Local media and online sources will announce weeks when no watering is allowed.
- You can water with drip irrigation systems every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7-11AM and 7-11PM.
- Watering with a hose is allowed during any time on any day.
Stage 4 Water Restrictions
When they supply of water from the Edwards Aquifer is determined to be inadequate to meet city wide usage, Stage 4 Water Restrictions may be declared by the City Manager after a 30 day monitoring period following Stage 3 Water Restrictions.
- All Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 Water Restrictions apply.
- SAWS will chard a “drought surcharge” on all accounts for water used or assumed to be used for watering and irrigation. This surcharge remains in effect for a complete billing cycle and will remain if the Stage 4 Water Restrictions have not been lifted by the beginning of the next billing cycle.
- City Council may also establish additional restrictions.
- Stage 4 Water Restrictions remain in effect until there is an announcement in the newspaper of its cancellation.
Note: The items in this post cover residential use only, for information about commercial use of water during the various stages of water restrictions, please visit the SAWS Drought Restriction page.
image courtesy of QuietDanst
WHY DON’T YOU PUT THE CURRENT WATERING GUIDELINES ON EACH WATER BILL?
Each SAWS bill has the “Edwards Aquifer Water Level” section on it (I believe in the the upper right hand corner of the front page – looks like a yard/measuring stick). This will give you the current aquifer level as well as what stage restrictions we are currently at. I don’t believe they spell out what each stage means on the bills, but a quick google search for “SAWS water restrictions” should help (I also keep this page bookmarked – SAWS Water Rules and Drought Restrictions for quick reference).