Edwards BFZ Aquifer
The Edwards (Balcones Fault Zone) Aquifer is a major aquifer in the south-central part of the state. It consists primarily of partially dissolved limestone that creates a highly permeable aquifer. Aquifer thickness ranges from 200 to 600 feet, and freshwater saturated thickness averages 560 feet in the southern part of the aquifer. The ground¬water, although hard, is generally fresh and contains less than 500 milligrams per liter of total dissolved solids. Water from the aquifer is primarily used for municipal, irrigation, and recreational purposes. San Antonio obtains almost all of its water supply from the Edwards (Balcones Fault Zone) Aquifer. The aquifer feeds several well-known springs, including Comal Springs in Comal County, which is the largest spring in the state, and San Marcos Springs in Hays County, which is the second largest. Hueco, San Pedro, San Antonio, and Leona springs also discharge from the aquifer. Because of the aquifer’s highly permeable nature, water levels and spring flows respond quickly to rainfall, drought, and pumping. Although water levels periodically and seasonally decline rapidly in wells throughout the aquifer, they also rebound quickly with adequate rainfall. The regional water planning groups, in their 2006 Regional Water Plans, recommended several water management strategies that use the Edwards (Balcones Fault Zone) Aquifer, in-cluding drilling new wells, constructing small dams along streambeds to enhance recharge to the aquifer, and reallocating supplies from irrigation to municipal users. They also recommended expanding an existing aquifer storage and recovery facility that stores water from the Edwards (Balcones Fault Zone) Aquifer in the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer in southern Bexar County.
The Edwards (Balcones Fault Zone) Aquifer is contained within the Cretaceous-age Edwards Group limestone (Edwards Limestone) and associated units.
Below are some studies the District has funded to better understand our aquifers.
May, 2020
Evaluation of Groundwater Pumping in Travis and Williamson Counties
2012-2019 Summary of Edwards BFZ Studies by
USFWS Texas Water Science Center
Baylor University Geology Department
January, 2017
Statistical Evaluation of Edwards Aquifer Water Levels, Pumping, and Springflow
December, 2016
A Follow-up Investigation into the Recharge Pathways and Mechanisms in the Northern Segment of the Edwards Aquifer, Bell County, Texas
December, 2015
An Investigation into the Recharge Pathways and Mechanisms in the Northern Segment of the Edwards Aquifer, Bell County, Texas
September, 2015
Evaluation of Edwards Aquifer Water Quality
August, 2013
Edwards BFZ Hydrologic Geochemical Investigation
March, 2013
Background on Salado Springs Spring Flow Measurement and Gauge System Implementation and Application
February, 2013
Northern Segment of the Edwards BFZ
November, 2010
Edwards BFZ Aquifer Report
May 2003
Groundwater Monitoring Program (Winter 2003)
January 2002
Groundwater Resources Management Information
