conditions-iconConditions

Critical Period/Drought Management (CPM)

In times of declining groundwater levels, the EAA implements a Critical Period Management (CPM) Plan to help sustain aquifer and springflow levels. This program helps slow the rate of decline in aquifer levels and spring discharges during periods of little or no rain by reducing the amount of groundwater permit holders may withdraw.

CPM Overview

CPM Overview

The EAA Critical Period Management (CPM) Plan helps sustain aquifer and springflow levels during droughts by temporarily reducing the authorized withdrawal amounts of Edwards groundwater permit holders and slowing the rate of decline in aquifer levels and spring discharges until it rains and the aquifer can recharge itself.

park with waterfall

Who Does CPM Apply To?

CPM stage reductions apply to all Edwards Aquifer well owners and groundwater permit holders authorized to pump more than three acre-feet annually. This applies to industrial, irrigation, and municipal users, including water utilities authorized to pump Edwards groundwater for delivery to their respective customers*.

In addition, all municipal, industrial and irrigation well owners are required to submit monthly withdrawal reports to the EAA for tracking of their pumping. These reports are reconciled at the end of the year to ensure permit holder compliance with the CPM reductions.

*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 public, but instead regulates Edwards well owners with withdrawal permits authorizing their right to pump from the aquifer.

Permit Reduction Stages

What are the stages of permit reductions and when are they declared?

The CPM Plan is divided into five stages of escalating reduced pumping requirements, each triggered by declining aquifer levels or springflow discharge rates as calculated in 10-day averages. In other words, required reductions increase as aquifer levels or springflows decrease. For example, Stage 1 of CPM is triggered and declared for the San Antonio Pool (all counties within EAA jurisdiction except Uvalde) when the 10-day average level at the J-17 Index Well, in Bexar County, drops below 660 feet above mean sea level (amsl) or the 10-day average spring flow at Comal or San Marcos Springs falls below 225 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 96 cfs, respectively. As a result, permit holders must reduce groundwater withdrawals by 20% of their authorized annual withdrawal amounts based on the number of days CPM is in effect.

See the graphic in the PDF below for a detailed explanation of permit reductions for each stage of CPM.

Reporting Tools

Reporting Tools

During critical periods, all municipal, industrial and irrigation users are required to submit withdrawal reports monthly. Reports are reconciled at the end of the year to ensure compliance.

To assist in managing groundwater withdrawal permit(s), the EAA has developed a full range of online critical period tools.

End of the Year Critical Period Calculator

Our interactive Critical Period Calculator allows you to determine how much water you need to have authorized to cover your total use and total critical period reductions for the year.

Please note, this calculator is only available 12/31 – 1/31, when we know the reductions for the year.

Forms can be emailed to imartinez@edwardsaquifer.org or can be submitted electronically via the EAA’s Online Reporting System that can be found at https://portal.edwardsaquifer.org/edwsoftware/other_user/login.

Critical Period Calculator

Our auto-fill Critical Period Calculator allows you to accurately determine the authorized groundwater withdrawal amount available for use during times of mandatory critical period management.

Critical Period Forecast Calculator

Our Interactive Critical Period Calculator allows you to predict and plan your groundwater withdrawal amount available for use during times of mandatory critical period management.

Critical Period Usage Online Reporting System

This online form is available for users to submit their Critical Period Monthly Use Reports, as well as Annual Use Reports.

EAA Meter Matters Smartphone App

This app allows users to report meter readings, manage meters and view meter reading history.

Local Restrictions

Local Restrictions

The EAA has regulatory jurisdiction in all of Bexar, Medina and Uvalde counties and portions of Atascosa, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, and Hays counties.

Reach out to your water provider to determine if stage restrictions have been declared.

texas map with water faucet on top

Providers By County

Atascosa

Atascosa Rural Water Supply Corp
10882 Jarratt Rd,
Atascosa, TX 78002
P: (210) 622-3901
F: (210) 622-5421
Info@AtascosaWater.com
Atascosa Water Website

Bexar

Cadillac Water Corporation
14203 Fairway Basin
San Antonio, 78217
P: (210) 317-9250

City of Alamo Heights
6116 Broadway
San Antonio, TX 78209
P: (210) 822-3331
F: 210-822-8197
Alamo Heights Website
Critical Period for Alamo Heights Website

City of Converse
9239 Converse Business Lane
Converse, TX 78109
Converse city Website
Critical Period for Converse Website

City of Kirby
112 Bauman
Kirby, TX 78219
P: (210) 622-3901
F: (210) 661-2151
Kirby city Website
Public Kirby Notices
Ordinances for city of Kirby

City of Leon Valley
Maxwell, TX 786566400 El Verde Road
Leon Valley, TX 78238
P: (210) 493-3478
Leon Valley Website
Critical Period for Leon Valley Website

City of Live Oak
8001 Shin Oak Dr
Live Oak, TX 78233
P: (210) 653-9140
Live Oak city Website
Critical Period for Live Oak Website

City of Selma
City of Selma, TX
9375 Corporate Drive
Selma, TX 78154
P: (210) 651-6661
CIty of Selma Website
Critical Period for Selma Website

City of Shavano Park
900 Saddletree Court
Shavano Park, TX 78231
P: (210) 493-3478
contact@shavanopark.org
Main Website
Critical Period Website

City of Universal City
52150 Universal City Boulevard
Universal City, TX 78148
P: (210) 493-3478
Universal City Website
Critical Period for Universal city Website

San Antonio Water System
SAWS Main Office
2800 US Hwy 281 N
San Antonio, TX 78212
P: (210) 704-SAWS (7297)
San Antonio Water System Website
Critical Period for San Antonio Website

SWWC Utilities Inc., a Delaware Corporation
No info available

Comal

City of Garden Ridge
9400 Municipal Parkway
Garden Ridge, TX 78266
P: (210) 651-6632
After Hours: (210) 651-6831
Garden Ridge city Website
Critical Period for Garden Ridge Website

City of Schertz
1400 Schertz Parkway
Schertz, TX 78154
Schertz city Website
Critical Period for Schertz city Website

Maxwell Water Supply Corporation
216 Main S216 Main Street
Maxwell, TX 78656
P: (512) 357-6253
Maxwell Water supply Website
Critical Period for Maxwell Website

New Braunfels Utilities
Main Office
263 Main Plaza
New Braunfels, TX 78130
P: (830) 629-8400
Service Center
355 FM 306
New Braunfels, TX 78130
P: (866) 629-8400
After Hours: (830) 629-4628
New Braunfels city Website
Critical Period for New Braunfels

Guadalupe

City of Marion
303 S. Center Street
Marion, TX 78124
P: (512) 357-6253
Marion city Website
Critical Period for Marion Website

Green Valley Special Utility District
529 S. Center Street
Marion, TX 78124
P: (830) 914-2330
Green Valley Special Utility District Website
Critical Period for Green valley Website

Hays

City of Kyle
100 W. Center Street
Kyle, TX 78640
P: (512) 262-1010
City of Kyle Website
Critical Period for Kyle Website

City of San Marcos
630 E Hopkins
San Marcos, TX 78666
P: (512) 393-8000
F: (855) 246-9100
San Marcos Website
Critical Period for San Marcos Website

County Line Special Utility District
8870 Camino Real
Uhland, Texas 78640
P: (512) 398-4748
County Line Special Utility District Website

Crystal Clear Special Utility District
2370 FM 1979
San Marcos, TX 78666
P: (830) 372-1031
F: (830) 371-0067
Crystal Clear Special Utility District Website
Critical Period for Crystal Clear SUD Website

Medina

City of Devine
303 South Teel Drive
Devine Texas 78016
P: (830) 663-2804
City of Devine Website
Critical Period for Devine city Website

City of Hondo
1600 Ave. M
Hondo, TX 78861
P: (830) 426-3378
F: (830) 426-5189
Hondo city Website
Critical Period for Hondo Website

City of LaCoste
16004 S. Front St.
La Coste, TX 78039
P: (830) 985-9494
Critical Period for LaCoste Website

City of Lytle
14916 Main Street
Lytle, TX 78052
P: (830) 709-3692
Lytle city Website
Critical Period for Lytle Website

City of Natalia
P.O. Box 2702078
State Hwy 132 N.
Natalia, TX 78059
P: (830) 663-2926
City of Natalia Website
Critical Period for Natalia Website

East Medina County Special Utility District
P.O. Box 628
Devine, TX 78016
P: (830) 709-3879
F: (830) 772-4082
East Medina County SUD Website
Critical Period for EMCSUD Website

West Medina Water Supply Corporation
145 CR 526
D’Hanis, TX 78850
P: (830) 363-7616

Yancy Water Supply Corporation
P.O. Box 127
Yancey, TX 78886
P: (830) 741-5264
F: (830) 741-8009

Uvalde

City of Sabinal
501 N. Center Steet,
Sabinal Texas, 78881
P: (830) 988-2595
City of Sabinal Website
Critical Period for Sabinal Website

City of Uvalde
101 E Main St,
Uvalde, TX 78801
P: (830) 278-6616
F: (830) 278-8883
utilitybilling@uvaldetx.gov
Uvalde Website
Critical Period for Uvalde Website

Knippa Water Supply Corporation
P: (830) 279-8400