The Edwards Aquifer is protected and conserved through one of the most comprehensive groundwater management plans in the country. The Edwards Aquifer Authority Act, derived by Texas legislation from a federal court ruling, provided the means to limit annual water withdrawals, institute region-wide drought restrictions when necessary, and consider the effect of the EAA’s actions on downstream users.

The EAA is governed by a 17-member board of directors representing the interests of constituents from across the Edwards Aquifer region. Fifteen directors serve as voting members of the board, elected from single-member districts to four-year terms whlie two additional non-voting directors are appointed to four-year terms.

As a vital resource to more than two million South Central Texans, the Edwards Aquifer is shared by municipal, industrial, agricultural and recreational users. As such, the conservation and protection measures instituted by the EAA and regional stakeholders strive to preserve both water quantity and quality to sustain the aquifer and it’s species for future generations to enjoy.

Cities and rural homes use aquifer water for domestic purposes - including drinking, landscaping, gardening, and bathing.

Farmers and ranchers have used the Edwards Aquifer for generations to irrigate crops and provide water for livestock.

Industry and commerce depend on the aquifer to sustain the economy.

Recreational users enjoy the cool, clear aquifer waters that feed into rivers and streams.

The Edwards Aquifer water level fluctuates based on the amount of recharge entering the ground, and the amount of discharge leaving through wells and springs. Two wells, the J17 in Bexar and J27 in Uvalde Counties, serve as index wells for the entire aquifer system. If the aquifer level falls below certain thresholds, the Critical Period Management Plan goes into effect to reduce pumping incrementally depending on the stage.