San Antonio Water System

WHAT IS A RATE STUDY?

SAWS completes a rate study about every five years. This utility industry best practice helps ensure water and wastewater rates are:

• Sufficient to recover operating costs.
• Enough to maintain and invest in infrastructure needed to provide water and sewer services.
• Based on the equitable allocation of those costs to each customer class (residential, commercial, etc.).
• A reflection of the values of the community served.

Rate studies review both the rate structure — how the services are billed — and the actual rates charged — the amount customers are billed. SAWS contracted with Carollo Engineers, Inc. to help conduct the 2022 rate study.

As part of the rate study process, SAWS convened a group of citizen volunteers— the Rate Advisory Committee, or RAC—to help evaluate proposed updates and changes to the rate structure. The committee’s purpose was to:

• Represent and communicate the views of the community.
• Provide input on rate structure options and associated customer impacts.
• Formulate a recommendation for the SAWS Board of Trustees and San Antonio City Council.

Key Findings:

• Affordability for all SAWS customers is the primary goal for use of a reasonable amount of water.
• The new structure incorporates additional pricing signals for discretionary outdoor water use, to further promote conservation.

The committee represents the utility’s service area and customers, including:

• San Antonio City Council districts within the SAWS service area.
• Customers outside the San Antonio city limits that are within the SAWS service area.
• Neighborhood associations.
• Multi-family customers.
• Recycled water customers.
• Major manufacturers, large business and small business.
• Environmental and community advocacy groups.

The committee worked with SAWS staff and consultants for approximately five months to develop a fair, equitable rate structure.