EAA Declares Stage 4 Permit Reductions for Uvalde Pool

Press release from the San Antonio, TX – The Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA)

San Antonio, TX – The Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) has declared an increase from Stage 3 to Stage 4 Critical Period Management permit reductions for Edwards groundwater permit holders in the Uvalde Pool of the EAA’s jurisdiction within Uvalde County. The EAA officially confirmed on Sunday, March 10, 2024, that the ten-day rolling average at the J-27 index well was 841.9 feet above mean sea level (ft msl). Therefore, the EAA formally declares Stage 4 permit reductions for the Uvalde Pool.

As shown in Figure 1, the EAA Critical Period Management Plan (CPM) Stage 4 for the Uvalde Pool reduces the annual authorized withdrawal amounts available to affected groundwater permit holders by 35 percent. 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. It should be noted that 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.

The EAA is a groundwater conservation district that manages, enhances and protects the Edwards Aquifer, a major groundwater system serving approximately two-and-one-half million South Central Texans. The EAA jurisdiction spans across 8 counties including Uvalde, Medina, Bexar, and parts of Atascosa, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Comal and Hays counties.