Dec
20
Tuesday, December 20, 2011 11:35 AM
As 2011 comes to a close, the San Antonio region, including all BexarMet service areas, remains under Stage 2 watering restrictions. Thankfully, local lawns and landscapes don’t need weekly watering as they do in the summer. However, looking ahead to 2012 takes Bexar and surrounding counties into uncharted territory.
Typically, winter is a time for aquifer levels to rebound and cause cancellation of mandatory water restrictions until early summer. However, for the first time since water restrictions became a reality in San Antonio, the area will begin a calendar year on Stage 2 restrictions. According to a recent newspaper article, 2012 will mark the first time that farmers to the west of Bexar County will begin their annual irrigation season with some sort of mandatory water restrictions in effect.
On the surface, this doesn’t appear too concerning, but delve deeper into the situation and that’s where the true concern is revealed. Once farmers west of San Antonio begin pre-irrigating their fields for planting in late January/early February, the Edwards Aquifer level will begin to slowly and steadily drop. That, combined with warmer late spring temperatures and landscape irrigation, will cause the downward trend to become a steady, marked decline.
In an average year, aquifer levels in January are 15 to 20 feet above the Stage 1 trigger thanks to winter rains and lack of outdoor irrigation. With current aquifer levels barely twelve feet above the Stage 3 trigger, it might not take long before Stage 3 restrictions become a reality for the San Antonio region.
“In fact,” says BexarMet Water Efficiency Manager Nathan Riggs, “there’s a good chance that Bexar County could remain under mandatory water restrictions for all of 2012 barring significant, soaking rains.”
There are several ways to stem the slide toward more severe water restrictions. Some outdoor suggestions include:
- Reduction of winter watering to once per month or less and only water outdoors when the landscape needs it.
- Turn off automatic sprinkler systems in winter and operate them only when needed. Depending on rainfall, try to keep automatic irrigation systems turned off as far into 2012 as possible.
- Use at least 4-6 inches of mulch in your landscape beds to help conserve and hold soil moisture in place.
There are also some indoor activities that can help conserve water. Try these:
- Repair any and all leaks around your home as soon as they are discovered.
- Replace the flapper in your toilet at least once per year.
- Inspect faucets and connections for leakage.
- Wash only full loads of clothes.
- Use only the water that is needed for washing hands and brushing teeth.
The current “La Nina” weather pattern is expected to continue well into 2012 and this drought is expected to remain in place. All of these simple acts can result in significant savings on your water bill as well as lending a helping hand for the bigger picture.
Stage 2 restrictions allow sprinkler watering once per week based on the last address digit as well as set sprinkler hours. For complete information on Stage 2 watering restrictions, visit the BexarMet website at www.bexarmet.org/conservation/waterrestrictions.aspx.