Editorial: S.A. must stay vigilant about conserving water

The San Antonio Water System has lifted the drought restrictions on water usage, and that's good news.

But it doesn't mean residents should return to careless habits.

In fact, San Antonians should never let down their guard when it comes to water conservation.

Welcome rain has pushed the local benchmark Edwards Aquifer well more than eight feet above the Stage 1 drought restrictions trigger of 660 feet above sea level.

But that's not much padding. Without more rain the well can drop to 660 feet easily, particularly when spring agricultural activities begin next year.

San Antonians proved this summer that they can responsibly manage the aquifer during periods of drought.

The need to manage the aquifer remains a priority because the underground reservoir will be the region's major water source for the foreseeable future.

SAWS has made progress diversifying the city's water supply, but that process is far more complicated than officials envisioned when water plans were originally formulated to reduce dependence on the aquifer.

Looming in the background is the legal requirement for the region to submit a recovery implementation program, also known as a RIP, to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by the end of 2012.

The plan must detail how endangered species that depend on aquifer spring flows will be saved in a prolonged drought.

And that plan could require stricter conservation measures than area residents have ever seen when aquifer levels begin to plummet.

Good conservation habits are essential all year, every year. Even when rain is plentiful we must stay aware of the need to avoid a rapid descent into extreme restrictions.