SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) is once again proposing a multi-year increase in water rates, which could significantly impact the average household’s monthly expenses.
In June, the San Antonio City Council voted narrowly (6-5) to postpone deliberations on a proposed set of rate increases. If approved, these adjustments could raise the average residential customer’s bill by approximately $15 to $17 per month by 2029, an overall rise of nearly 30%.
SAWS has cited the necessity for these rate increases primarily to fund essential capital improvements. This includes substantial investments in upgrading wastewater treatment facilities, replacing aging pipes, and installing backup generators to enhance service reliability.
During an upcoming council meeting, members will review a revised proposal that mirrors the earlier plan but with adjustments to the timeline. Under the modified proposal, residential rates could see increases of about $13 to $17 by 2030.
Instead of an immediate increase in July, the proposed plan now suggests a phased approach. Residential rates would rise by 6.9% in January 2027, followed by increases of 6.5% in 2028, and between 4.5% and 7% in 2029. The final year of adjustments (2030) would see increases between 4% and 6.6%.
Notably, the proposed increases for the latter two years are slightly lower than those previously presented, dipping from 5.5% and 5% to 4.5% and 4%, respectively.
Due to the delay in implementing these rate increases, SAWS has had to reduce its five-year capital program from $3.2 billion to $2.6 billion. This reduction means cutting approximately $600 million worth of critical projects, including efforts to eliminate dead-end water mains and constructing new water infrastructure.
Cecilia Velasquez, SAWS Chief Financial Officer, acknowledged that these adjustments were necessary to align with the current rate proposal. “But that’s what we had to do to fit into the program,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that the utility operates at expected standards.
Councilman Marc Whye (D10), who supported the delay, expressed his reservations about increasing water prices. He stated, “I still do not believe we need to be raising water prices for our citizens, flat out. The citizens are paying enough right now.” However, he noted that any future proposal should ideally present better conditions for residents than the earlier version.
While the council is expected to discuss the revised rate proposal at its upcoming meeting, a vote could potentially take place as soon as October 8. As the discussion unfolds, residents remain attentive to how these changes may affect their water bills and overall service quality.
