The Green Valley Special Utility District has approved a new plan to protect the local water supply while the Edwards Aquifer and nearby reservoirs remain low. The plan focuses on better water meters, new water sources, and tools to help customers track their use. The goal is to make sure water keeps flowing even if the dry weather continues. Customers may see stricter watering rules, an online system to check their water use, and future incentives for saving water, as reported by Community Impact.
What the plan covers
On April 24 the GVSUD board approved the district's first-ever strategic plan, laying out targets that range from automated meter infrastructure to studies of alternative sources. According to Community Impact, the plan also commits the district to finishing a drought contingency package this month and taking a hard look at brackish-water projects. The U.S. Geological Survey describes brackish water as saltier than freshwater but not as salty as seawater.
Meter upgrades to spot waste and leaks
The most immediate, visible work for customers is the shift to Automated Meter Infrastructure, or AMI, which lets the utility read meters remotely and flag unusually high use or possible leaks in close to real time. The Green Valley Special Utility District reports that crews have already installed five of 11 AMI antennas and plan to add two more in fiscal years 2025 to 2026. Once the system is fully in place, customers will be able to log into a web portal to track how much water they are using. District officials say the upgraded meters should make it easier to catch leaks early and cut down on the need for labor-intensive enforcement.
Drought data behind the push
Recent drought numbers help explain why the district is moving now. Data from Water Data for Texas showed early November Keetch-Byram Drought Index readings that put Guadalupe and Bexar counties firmly in the high-risk category, while the U.S. Drought Monitor has much of the region marked in severe agricultural drought. Paul Bertetti, senior director for aquifer science at the Edwards Aquifer Authority, told the San Antonio Express-News that the shortfall has been hanging over the area since early 2022 and is the worst the region has endured since the mid-1950s.
What customers will notice
For now, the day-to-day changes are largely about how and when people can water. Stage 2 restrictions are already active within the GVSUD service area, which means no sprinkler or irrigation watering on weekends. Some residents who used to receive separate sewer and water bills are also starting to see combined statements, a shift noted by Community Impact. Marisa Bruno, water program manager with the Hill Country Alliance, says automated meters can help enforce watering rules and give households the information they need to spot waste on their own.
Timeline and next steps
The district is aiming to wrap up its drought contingency package this month and plans to brief the board in early 2026 on specific strategic-plan tasks. Those include finishing AMI installations, updating the water master plan and rolling out a customer mobile app, according to the Green Valley Special Utility District. The plan also calls for outreach and incentives such as rebate programs and xeriscaping pilots to promote long-term conservation. Officials say the upgrades are intended to buy time for the Edwards Aquifer to recover and to cut down on the need for emergency restrictions.
