It was five years ago this month that San Antonio Water System Trustees approved a contract to build the largest non-Edwards Aquifer water supply in our city’s history. Today, 140 miles of the 142-mile Vista Ridge Pipeline is already in the ground, and on track to start delivering up to 20 percent of our water needs in 2020.
Delivery of this new supply, San Antonio’s ninth water source overall, tops the list of reasons SAWS’ budget includes a rate adjustment for 2020.
The 2020 adjustment will increase the average monthly residential water and sewer bill (excluding regulatory pass-through and stormwater fees) from $65.83 to $72.38 — a difference of $6.55 or 9.9 percent.
In October 2015, City Council pre-approved maximum water supply fee adjustments for 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 to assure completion of the Vista Ridge project. The 2020 adjustment reflects an increase of 52.4 percent, bringing the total increase in the water supply fee over that four-year period to 77.4 percent, well below the 114 percent limit pre-approved by Council.
There are no proposed changes to the water delivery or wastewater rates for 2020.
The adjustment will also allow multiyear water and sewer projects to move forward, in addition to major technology upgrades such as wireless meter reading.
The new rates will take effect Jan. 1, 2020, and appear on February bills. The Residential Rate Calculator can be used to help you estimate changes to your monthly residential SAWS bill, based on projected water use and other criteria.
PUBLIC NOTICE
DECLARATION OF INTENT TO CHANGE WATER SUPPLY AND RECYCLED WATER RATES
Implementation of water supply and recycled water rates effective for consumption on or about Jan. 1, 2020 is hereby declared. Customers will begin receiving bills that reflect the proposed 2020 rates on or about Feb. 1, 2020.
Consistent with the notification procedures of Chapter 13 of the Texas Water Code, Title 16 of the Texas Administrative Code and applicable city regulations, the San Antonio Water System Board of Trustees announces its intent to increase the water supply component of the water rates and recycled water rates. No changes are proposed to water delivery or wastewater rates for 2020. The new rates, as proposed by SAWS staff, were presented for review at the Sept. 4, 2019 meeting of the SAWS Board of Trustees; final consideration will be given on or after Nov. 1, 2019 by the SAWS Board. The proposed 2020 rates will become effective for consumption on or about Jan. 1, 2020. The charges below represent samples of current and proposed billing amounts for different levels of consumption across various customer classes. Please note these amounts are required by the State of Texas. Typical water use by SAWS customers is much lower.
More information is available at 210-704-SAWS (704-7297).
Para información en español, por favor lláme al 210-704-7297.
Water Rates (excludes TCEQ and EAA pass-through fees)
Definitions:
ICL: Inside City Limits.
OCL: Outside City Limits.
General Class: Includes Commercial, Industrial, and Apartment customers.
Seasonal Period: Water rates applied to all billings beginning on or about May 1 and ending after five complete billing months on or about Sept. 30 of each year. (Applies only to Recycled Water rates.)
Standard Period: Water rates applied to all billings beginning on or about Oct. 1 and ending after seven complete billing months on or about April 30 of each year. (Applies only to Recycled Water rates.)
Recycled Water Rates
