Water levels in the Edwards Aquifer are nearing their lowest in history, but community actions can still prevent a future of water scarcity in San Marcos.
The Edwards Aquifer, a massive underground reservoir of water that stretches across multiple counties, is under threat due to recent drought conditions. While many in San Marcos focus their attention on the river, its source is being overlooked.
As the state and city begin drawing plans to prevent damage, like creating the Texas Water Fund and citywide water restrictions, community members can do the same. The community can begin evaluating their consumption, putting pressure on industries using large amounts of water and preparing for a future that may be uncertain.
The Edwards Aquifer serves as a source of drinking water for San Marcos, and a major source for 1.7 million people in Central Texas and is pivotal for community survival. In recent years, the aquifer’s levels have steadily declined. In 2025, the J-17 well index, a key monitoring well in Bexar County used for measuring Edwards Aquifer levels, was at 624 feet, only 12 feet shy of the lowest level ever recorded in 1956, putting the San Marcos River at risk.
Declining aquifer levels have already started to affect life in San Marcos. The ongoing drought pushed city officials to place restrictions on water usage in the city, which is currently under stage 3 drought restrictions.
Robert Mace, researcher and executive director at the Meadows Center, said the conditions placed strict restrictions on the university and surrounding city.
“It is the supply for the university too,” Mace said. “The [Edwards Aquifer] Authority requires a reduction in how much water is produced from the aquifer. So, both the university and the city of San Marcos have been subject to forced reductions.”
Subtle changes like San Marcos not allowing residents to fill new swimming pools, wash their own cars at home and hand-water or irrigate with sprinklers or drip systems more than once a week between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m, are among some of the restrictions implemented due to drought. These may inconvenience residents now, but ignoring these could cause permanent water reductions in the future.
San Marcos’ water supply is not the only thing at risk. The Edwards Aquifer is the source of the headwaters for the San Marcos Springs, which supply the flow of the San Marcos River. As the “Mermaid Capital of Texas,” San Marcos’ culture and economy are linked to its natural waterways, meaning any change in the river’s flow can cause downstream effects on its people.
Protecting the Edwards Aquifer during the drought is not only a responsibility of the city and conservationists, but also of San Marcos residents. Small drips of water certainly build up over time. The decisions you make today affect the environment tomorrow.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, it’s estimated that each American uses an average of 82 gallons of water per day. That’s 2,460 a month and 29,520 a year, per person. Americans consume a lot of water daily, and much of it is wasted.
“Every gallon of water you use is a gallon that’s not coming out of the springs and a gallon that’s not flowing down the river,” Mace said. “So, being as efficient with water use on campus as you can be … the biggest thing for folks that live on campus is shortening showers. Teenagers are famous for taking extremely long showers. Maybe consider doing a navy shower…and greatly reduce your water footprint.”
Beyond simple individual changes, community members can also apply necessary pressure to protect its water. Industry and agriculture account for large amounts of water usage. Introducing developments like data centers, which demand large amounts of water, can cause serious harm to the community. The San Marcos community, after protesting a data center development, proved it can protect its water, but it takes a unified effort.
Community action, whether through reducing showers or placing pressure on city council, can help the city’s future, but it must be acted on now. The heart of San Marcos is its water, and it must be protected.
