For the fourth consecutive year, the SAWS operating budget includes no water or sewer rate increase for 2024. Earlier this year, a restructuring of SAWS rates actually lowered water and sewer charges for nearly every residential customer.
The SAWS Board of Trustees was briefed on the proposal in September and approved the budget on Oct. 3.
The budget includes more than $567 million in capital spending for infrastructure improvements, in addition to increased operating costs for the installation of electronic meters, enhanced water leak detection and repair efforts, along with information and physical security.
The budget includes rate adjustments for commercial chilled water and recycled water customers to better align with the cost of operating those highly specialized business units.
You can review the entire adopted budget at saws.org/budget.
Bill payment assistance is available to those who qualify. Learn more and apply at saws.org/uplift.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Declaration of intent to change recycled water rates and uplift assistance program fees
Implementation of new recycled water rates and fees for the Uplift assistance program effective for consumption on or about Jan. 1, 2024 is hereby declared. Customers will begin receiving bills that reflect the 2024 rates on or about Feb. 1, 2024.
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 implement new recycled water rates and fees for the Uplift assistance program.
Also, consistent with §13.187 (i) of the Texas Water Code, the approval by the SAWS Board of Trustees on Oct. 3, 2023, represents the final decision for this rate change. The effective date of this rate change is on or about Jan. 1, 2024. Additional information regarding this rate change can be found at the City Clerk’s Office of the City of San Antonio located at100 W. Houston St., Concourse San Antonio, TX 78205 or at saws.org/rates.
Consistent with the Rate Advisory Committee’s recommend-ation for recycled water rates, a five-year rate adjustment plan was approved in the 2023 Budget. The plan included a 15% increase in 2023 and up to 10% increases each year from 2024 to 2027. On Oct. 3, 2023 the SAWS Board of Trustees approved the pre-approved maximum recycled water rate increase of 10% effective for consumption on or about Jan. 1, 2024.
In 2023, SAWS added the cost of the Uplift assistance program as a volumetric pass-through fee for water and sewer usage. This fee is assessed to all general, irrigation and residential customers who are not enrolled in the assistance program. For 2024, based on a lower than anticipated growth rate in the Uplift assistance program, the 2024 program fees will be $0.24 less for the average residential bill.
The charges in the tables shown represent samples of current and adopted billing amounts for different levels of consumption across various customer classes. More information is available at 210-704-SAWS (7297) or saws.org/rates.
Para información en español, por favor lláme al 210-704-7297.
Recycled Water Rates
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.)
Water Rates (includes TCEQ, EAA and Uplift Assistance Program pass-through fees)
Sewer Rates (includes TCEQ and Uplift Assistance Program pass-through fees)
