MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR Butch Cook:
If the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone doesn’t receive a substantial amount of rain in the near future, the City of Devine may find it necessary to implement Stage 5 Water Restrictions for what is more than likely, the first time ever. I was on the City Council when the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) began operating in 1996 when the city was required to pay for its allotted acre feet of water, which is now approximately $6000 per month of tax payer money. The EAA was originally formed to prevent a federal takeover of the aquifer under the Endangered Species Act; to preserve and protect the valuable state water resource, along with the endangered species in the aquifer-fed Comal and San Marcos Springs which satisfied federal requirements.
Even though the City of Devine doesn’t sit above the Edwards Aquifer, most of our public water comes from the Edwards from our two wells on FM 1343, which is pumped into the city storage tank by Warhorse Stadium, and then into our two water towers – so we are at their mercy and must abide by their guidelines for the acre feet we use.
Here is where the confusion comes in with regards to Stage 4 and Stage 5 restrictions: when the aquifer level drops to certain levels at key locations, the EAA reduces its allotment to the City of Devine by pre-determined amounts for Stage 4 and Stage 5. We began the year with an allotment of 911 acre feet which was then reduced 37% to 750 feet for Stage 4, and will soon be reduced even further for Stage 5.
The EAA provides a list of recommendations to consider for compliance; however, they are not individual mandates and each city is allowed to determine which guidelines it will follow, if any. The City of Devine can decide what its requirements are for each stage but if the City exceeds its allotted acre feet by the EAA, there will be a SUBSTANTIAL FINE imposed on the tax payers.
Stage 5 recommendations by the EAA include:
- All outdoor irrigation, including drip irrigation, hand held watering and watering with buckets is prohibited at all times.
- The filling, refilling or adding potable water to private swimming, wading or Jacuzzi type pools is prohibited.
- Use of water to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane or other vehicle is prohibited.
- No applications for new, additional, expanded, increase -in-size water service connections, meters and service lines shall be allowed or approved.
- Aesthetic water use is prohibited. Basically any non-essential use of water. My personal opinion is not allowing hand-held watering to keep valuable trees and plants alive is not required at this time. The City of Devine is in good shape to finish the year under the required quota by the EAA with the mandates imposed in Stage 4, but only with a concerted effort to manage and conserve our water usage – especially the watering of lawns with sprinkler systems which currently is not allowed. This mandate does not pertain to those who have private wells which pull from the Carrizo aquifer.
Recent posts on our City of Devine City Hall Facebook page were intended to alert the community to the Possibility of severe sanctions.
Fortunately, November and December are historically lower-usage months with less need for watering lawns that are about to go dormant, but we have been in an incredible drought for quite awhile.
Special Meeting Nov. 7
This issue will be discussed at length and how to proceed at a Special City Council meeting next Thursday, November 7, 6:00 pm at the Community Center.