Voluntary Irrigation Suspension Program Option (VISPO)
VISPO is a voluntary program open to participation primarily to eligible holders of irrigation water rights who are willing to suspend use of all or a portion of their authorized withdrawal rights in exchange for financial compensation. The EAA will determine on October 1 if the aquifer has declined to a level at or below 635 feet above mean sea level in the J-17 index well in San Antonio. If this condition exists, program participants must suspend withdrawals for the following calendar year, beginning January 1. The goal of this voluntary program is to enroll 41,795 acre-feet of permitted irrigation rights that will remain unused in years of severe drought.
The purpose of the Regional Water Conservation Program (RWCP) is to realize the conservation potential of the Edwards Aquifer. The plan will offer incentives to municipalities to encourage water conservation in exchange for half of all conserved water to remain unpumped in the Aquifer for 15 years. This means that of the 20,000 targeted acre-feet conserved, 10,000 acre-feet will remain in the Aquifer to sustain aquifer levels in support of continued springflow.The goal of the program is to conserve 20,000 acre-feet of permitted or exempt Edwards Aquifer withdrawals. The RWCP currently includes activities targeted at Municipal water providers and assistance through low-flow toilet programs, leak detection, and other community specific efforts.
Meetings of the Regional Water Conservation Monitoring Committee
The inclusion of Stage V Critical Period Managment to the previous stages I-IV includes a reduction of 44% from any Edwards Aquifer groundwater permit. Triggers for the Stage V are 625 MSL (Monthly) for the San Antonio Pool at J-17 and 840 MSL for the Uvalde Pool at J-27.
EAA CPM San Antonio Pool
EAA CPM Uvalde Pool
Use of SAWS Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR)
Use of SAWS Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR)
This measure to minimize the impacts of incidental take from extended drought is the third element in the package of springflow protection measures. It utilizes the SAWS ASR facility for storage and delivery of Aquifer water leased by the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA). When triggers are reached SAWS will use water stored in the ASR to serve as a base load supply in its surface area near to the springs. An amount equivalent to the water recovered from the ASR will be used to offset SAW’s Edwards Aquifer water demand. EAA will acquire 50,000 acre-feet/year of Edwards Aquifer withdrawal permits.
Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Springflow Protection Forbearance Program
The Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) offers permit holders the opportunity to enroll in the Springflow Protection Program.
This water conservation program is designed to protect springflow for federally listed threatened and endangered species during times of severe, long-term droughts by financially compensating municipal, industrial, and irrigation permit holders who enroll all or part of their base irrigation or unrestricted groundwater rights for the benefit of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP).
Unlike a leasing program, enrolled water remains yours to use, lease, or conserve when the 10-year annual recharge average is above 500,000 acre-feet. Forbearance is only required after a determination has been made that the 10-year annual recharge average has fallen at or below 500,000 acre-feet. The last time the 10-year average fell below this trigger was from 1946 – 1959 the most severe drought on record and defined as the drought of record (1951-1956).
The EAA has managed to successfully reach maximum enrollment in this program by securing 50,000 acre-feet for year 2024. For information regarding future enrollment opportunities please contact Javier Hernandez, Special Projects Liaison, at (210) 222-2204 or jhernandez@edwardsaquifer.org.
Flat fee of $100 per acre-foot per year in both standby years and forbearance years
Program Trigger
10-year annual recharge average is at or 500,000 acre-feet. Forbearance occurs in the year following the recharge average determination
Can Use Water As Normal Outside of Forbearance Years
Yes
Length of Agreement
Agreements expire at the end of year 2028
Restricted & Unrestricted Water Available to Enroll
Yes – Open to all permit holders
Frequency of Program Trigger
More frequently during repeat of drought of record (1950s type conditions). Would have triggered every year during the drought of record
Existing Leases & Agreements Will be Honored
Yes
Can Participate in ASR & VISPO at the Same Time
Yes, but not the same water enrolled in VISPO
VISPO
Pricing
$54 per acre foot in standby years; $160 per acre foot in forbearance years in addition to the standby rate ($54 per acre-foot) for a total of $214 per acre-foot
Program Trigger
Level of J-17 monitoring well falls below 635 ft. msl on October 1. Forbearance occurs the year following the well reading
Can Use Water As Normal Outside of Forbearance Years
Yes
Length of Agreement
All current and future agreements expire at the end of year 2028
Restricted & Unrestricted Water Available to Enroll
Yes – Open to all permit holders
Frequency of Program Trigger
More frequently during short-term drought conditions. VISPO triggered in years 2014, 2022 and 2023 with years 2015, 2023 and 2024 being forbearance years
This calculator is only available December 31st - January 31st. Please check back on December 31, 2025, to calculate your reductions for the year.
Online Payments
As part of a comprehensive effort to streamline processes for our permit holders and the regulated community, the EAA now offers an online payment program that allows individuals and business entities to pay for their transactions by credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or VISA) or by electronic check.
The payment site is operated and maintained by a secure, third party, payment processor. A convenience fee of 2.75% applies to all credit card transactions (a $2 minimum fee) and a $2.00 fee applies to e-check transactions. The EAA does not keep any portion of these convenience fees. After confirmation of payment, the EAA will coordinate internally to ensure your payment is posted to the correct account. This process may take up to 72 hours.
Conditions
CURRENT 
