SAN ANTONIO – The Edwards Aquifer Authority has released its list of the top 10 over-pumpers in 2014. The list reveals how many acre-feet of water each entity used over its allotted amount.
1) City of Alamo Heights 71.44 ac-ft
2) Green Valley Special Utility District 20.55 ac-ft
3) Fresh From Texas 19.82 ac-ft
4) Hondo Ranch Properties 13.57 ac-ft
5) Northern Hills Management Corp. 11.30 ac-ft
6) Northcliffe Golf Course 10.29 ac-ft
7) Napco Precast, LLC 9.12 ac-ft
8) Camp Huaco Springs 6.57 ac-ft
9) Lewis Energy 6.53 ac-ft
10) John B. San Filippo & Son, Inc. 6.48 ac-ft
There are approximately 325,851 gallons in one acre-foot of water.
"What was unique about 2014 was it was the most restrictive we've ever been on water use from the Edwards based on drought conditions," said Roland Ruiz, general manager of the Edwards Aquifer Authority.
Every municipality or industrial user on the list pumped more than its restricted amount in 2014 -- not its permitted amount.
For example, the City of Alamo Heights was permitted to use 2,633 acre-feet of water in 2014, but restrictions put in place decreased that amount by roughly 35 percent.
Alamo Heights pumped 1,893 acre-feet in 2014, which was more than its restricted amount.
"That tells us that by and large across the region people understand the importance of conservation. They certainly are doing the best that they can to meet the restriction and reduction levels that we impose on them as a result of the drought," Ruiz said. "So I think we've come a long way."
Excluding Camp Huaco Springs, the top 10 over-pumpers of 2014 had not made the list in years past, according to the EAA.
In total, the EAA tallied about 50 overpumpers last year.
"The good news in all that is we have 572,000 acre-feet of permitted Edwards water out there and roughly a little less than 500 acre-feet were overpumped," Ruiz said.
With the rain South Texas has received this year, the over-pumper list for 2015 could look much different.
There are currently no restrictions on Edwards Aquifer water in the San Antonio Pool, which covers Bexar, Medina, Comal and Hays counties.
"If we can weather the June/July time frame, which is generally some of your peak demand for water, I think that we'll be very good going into the fall," Ruiz said.
Green Valley Special Utility District provides water to western Guadalupe County and small portions of Bexar and Comal counties.
The company sent this statement regarding its water use for 2014.
Fresh From Texas uses well water to process fruits and vegetables. The company tells KSAT 12 food safety is of paramount importance and it must use water for food safety.
A spokesperson for Napco Precast, LLC, says the company pumped more water than allowed in 2014 due to stricter TCEQ requirements that force the company to control dust during construction.
Ruiz says the EAA will work with each over-pumper to determine whether they will face a fine.
Often, the EAA uses educational outreach to curb future overpumping.
First-time offenders typically do not face a fine if they do not use more than their allotted amount in subsequent years.
"We don't want people to get too relaxed and think, 'Well, conservation is out the door.' No, conservation is a good practice to keep in top of mind even when we have rainfall like we're having right now," Ruiz added.