The Edwards Aquifer: Conflicts Surrounding Use of a Regional Water Resource

Integrated management of surface and groundwater has special relevance to the area surrounding San Antonio, Texas. San Antonio is the largest city in the United States entirely dependent upon a single source of underground water, the Edwards Aquifer. Since prehistoric times, the Edwards Aquifer and its associated system of springs provided dependable supplies of high-quality water for residents of the region. The continued viability of the aquifer as a dependable water supply and as an important biological resource is now threatened by overpumpage caused by population and economic growth. Public calls for action to plan and manage future surface water development and withdrawals from the aquifer have not gone unheeded by both judiciary and legislative arms of local, state, and federal governments.