Stage III Critical Period Management!
News from the Leon Valley Water System
NEW CRITICAL PERIOD DROUGHT MANAGEMENT RULES
Starting with the October 15th billing cycle, the regulations regarding watering during Critical Period Drought Management are revised. At their August 20, 2024 meeting, the City Council approved an Ordinance revising the regulations to more closely match the San Antonio Water System’s (SAWS) watering hours regulations. A Stage 5 management period was also added, as was a drought surcharge for properties using over a certain number of gallons of water when the city is in Stages 3, 4, and 5 of drought management. The Edwards Aquifer Authority does have a Stage 5 and it reduces the water system’s pumping allowance to 44% of the total water rights when that Stage is declared.
SAWS and City of Leon Valley MIRROR Watering Restrictions
The Leon Valley water system will now match watering restrictions used by SAWS, to remove any confusion as to what regulations everyone needs to follow. Approximately 1/3rd of our citizens are connected to SAWS, and the other 2/3rds are serviced by the Leon Valley Water System. Below is a summary of the new regulations. For questions, please contact Utility Billing Clerk David Moralez at (210) 681-1232, ext. 224.
Stage 1 Drought Restrictions
Stage 1 begins when the 10-day rolling average of the aquifer level drops to 660 feet mean sea level at the monitored well. Watering with an irrigation system, sprinkler or soaker hose is allowed only once a week from midnight – 10 a.m. or from 9 p.m. – midnight on your designated watering day. Drip irrigation systems may run up to three times per week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during watering hours.
Stage 2 Drought Restrictions
Stage 2 begins when the 10-day rolling average of the aquifer level drops to 650 feet mean sea level at the monitored well. Watering with an irrigation system or sprinkler is allowed only once a week from 5 a.m. – 10 a.m. or from 9 p.m. – midnight on your designated watering day. Drip irrigation systems may run up to two times per week on Monday and Friday during watering hours.
Stage 3 Drought Restrictions
Stage 3 begins when the 10-day rolling average of the aquifer level drops to 640 feet mean sea level at the monitored well. Landscape watering is allowed only once a week, from 5 a.m. – 10 a.m. or from 9 p.m. – midnight on your designated watering day. Drip irrigation systems may run up to two times per week on Monday and Friday during watering hours.
Stage 4 Drought Restrictions
When Stage 4 restrictions are declared, landscape watering is allowed only ONCE EVERY OTHER week, from 5 a.m. – 10 a.m. or from 9 p.m. – midnight on your designated watering day. Drip irrigation systems may run once per week on Friday during watering hours.
Know Your Watering Day
During drought restrictions, watering is allowed on your designated watering day as determined by the last number of your street address. Areas without a street address, such as medians and neighborhood entryways, water on Wednesdays.
Drought Surcharge in Stage 3, Stage 4, & Stage 5
In deeper stages of drought, a new surcharge will encourage both residential and commercial customers with very high outdoor use to conserve. For single family accounts, the Stage 3 surcharge of $10.37 per thousand gallons will take effect for water use above 20,000 gallons a month. In Stages 4 and 5, that threshold drops to 12,000 gallons per month. Commercial irrigation surcharge rates will vary based on water use and meter size.
