Aquifer ConditionsASR (Aquifer Storage and Recovery)
Use of SAWS Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR)
VISPO is a unique initiative of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP) for irrigation users who wish to help protect springflow for federally listed threatened and endangered species that rely heavily on the Comal and San Marcos Springs. The VISPO Program is an irrigation suspension program and compensates enrolled irrigation permit holders for being enrolled in the program but it also pays an additional suspension rate in years where irrigation suspension is required. The trigger used to determine suspension is based off the J-17 index well in Bexar County, if the J-17 Index Well is at or below 635 feet on October 1, enrolled water must be suspended for the following calendar year. If VISPO does not trigger, the permit holder is in control of the enrolled water and can be used or leased out during non-suspension years. The enrollment goal is 41,795 acre-feet of irrigation water and both base and unrestricted water qualify.
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.
Comparison of ASR and VISPO
ASR Program
Pricing
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, 2023 and 2024 with years 2015, 2023, 2024 and 2025 being forbearance years
Existing Leases & Agreements Will be Honored
Yes
Can Participate in ASR & VISPO at the Same Time
Yes, but not the same water enrolled in ASR
Enrollment
Enrollment Terms: 3-Years (2026-2028)
Download and complete the enrollment form to apply.
CURRENT 
