FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
The 10-day average of the Bexar County index well J-17
reached 657 feet mean sea level as of Aug. 3, triggering Stage 1 water
restrictions for all Joint Base San Antonio locations. Stage 1 goes into effect
when J-17 dips below 660 feet.
The J-17 well is housed in a nondescript building on Fort
Sam Houston, just off Harry Wurzbach and near the Fort Sam Houston National
Cemetery and serves as the official well for recording groundwater elevations
in the San Antonio Pool of the Edwards Aquifer, according to the Edwards
Aquifer Authority website (http://www.edwardsaquifer.org).
The JBSA Base Civil Engineer declared Stage 1 water
restrictions effective immediately in accordance with the current JBSA Critical
Period Management Plan and Biological Opinion issued by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service. The biological opinion limits JBSA’s water draw from the
Edward’s Aquifer in order to protect eight endangered species which live in the
aquifer and its associated springs. These species can only survive when aquifer
levels and spring flows are adequately maintained.
The restrictions within Stage 1 facing base residents and
personnel are substantial and all must comply with the JBSA Critical Period
Management Plan.
All the Stage 1 restrictions in addition to Stage Normal
water restrictions are in place:
• Continue Stage Normal water use measures except as noted
or replaced by Stage 1 rules.
• Landscape watering with an irrigation system, sprinkler or
soaker hose is allowed only once a week before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m. on your
designated watering day, as determined by your address or facility number.
• Reduce water consumption by any means available.
• New turf or landscaping may be watered as identified in
Stage Normal until adequate growth is maintained.
• Privately owned vehicle washing is allowed once per week
on Saturday or Sunday as long as there is no water waste. A positive shutoff
nozzle must be used with hoses to prevent water waste. Don’t let water run into
the street.
• All swimming pools must have a minimum of 25 percent of
the surface area covered with evaporation screens when not in use. Inflatable
pool toys or floating decorations may be used.
• Hand watering with a handheld hose, soaker hose, drip
irrigation, bucket or watering can is permitted any time and any day.
• Washing impervious cover such as parking lots, driveways,
streets or sidewalks is prohibited except in order to correct life, health or
safety concerns.
• Irrigation of athletic fields is permitted only as
required to maintain the turf viability/safety. Athletic fields continue Stage
Normal water use measures.
• Landscape on golf courses are required to follow one day
per week watering
• Use of fountains, waterfalls or other aesthetic water
features outdoors or indoors is prohibited, unless a variance has been granted
for 100 percent non-potable water use.
In Stage 1, the watering days are as follows if
address/facility number ends in 0 or 1, Monday; 2 or 3, Tuesday; 4 or 5,
Wednesday, 6 or 7, Thursday; and 8 or 9, Friday.
All water restriction measures and details are listed in the
JBSA Critical Period Management Plan available online at
www.jbsa.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-130809-013.pdf
JBSA personnel should not confuse the JBSA water
restrictions with the SAWS restriction levels. The JBSA water restrictions are
more stringent and begin sooner than SAWS restrictions.
Call 652-2392 to report water abusers. Those found not
abiding with the JBSA Critical Period Management Plan may face potential
disciplinary measures. Reports will remain anonymous.