Stage 1 drought water restrictions begin today for customers of the San Antonio Water System. SAWS announced Thursday that the water level at the Edwards Aquifer J-17 Index Well had dropped below the Stage 1 trigger level. The aquifer reportedly was near the critical level at a couple of times in May and June because of a lack of rain, high temps, and an increase in water usage. Aquifer levels haven't been this low since September 2018.