San Antonio’s conservation ordinance helps conserve and extend our water resources. It prohibits water waste and imposes watering rules when the Edwards Aquifer level drops. To make San Antonio’s conservation ordinance more effective, efficient, and fair, SAWS is proposing changes and is seeking your feedback.

Take the Survey

Proposed Timeline



Aug. to Oct. 2023

Outreach on proposals (stakeholders, cities, community)
Draft updated Utility Service Regulations



November 2023

Draft ordinance to support rates for enforcement



Early 2024

SAWS board vote on Utility Service regulations



Spring 2024

City Council consideration of rates ordinance for enforcement

p

To request a presentation for your group please email us at conserve@saws.org.

Presentation & Meeting Videos

Watch our VP of Conservation, Karen Guz, explain each of the four key proposed changes. Find more information regarding the proposed changes in this short video series.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

watering rules review & proposed changes

Click the link below to download or view a one-page overview of the proposed changes. You can also see a list of the FAQs by clicking that link.

FACT SHEET FAQS

Proposed changes to the Utility Service Regulations will be posted here when available.

View draft Utility service regulations

View draft Conservation ordinance

Summary of changes

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

SAWS is proposing these changes to the conservation ordinance to help our community better manage our water resources.

Please indicate the degree to which you support/oppose the implementation of each. We appreciate your input!

Survey

Name(Required)

First Last

Email(Required)

Please make sure to watch the videos and/or review the Draft Conservation Ordinance PDF above before submitting your responses to these questions.

Ensure conservation ordinance rules fairly apply to all SAWS customers, even those in separately incorporated cities, by changing the enforcement from a Municipal Court citation to a fee on the bill.(Required)

In Stage 3, a new high use surcharge applying only to top users would replace the current rule limiting all customers to watering every other week. The surcharge would apply at a set threshold and encourage the highest users to conserve water during very severe droughts. The exact threshold is currently under analysis, but is estimated to be around 18,000 gallons per month. In 2023, this was approximately the highest 5% of water users. A typical bill at this volume is about $200 per month.(Required)

Limit drip irrigation to the same schedule as spray irrigation during drought. Drip irrigation systems can use as much water as traditional in-ground irrigation systems. Properties with drip irrigation are often using a lot of water during drought not realizing it applies water at a similar rate to spray and therefore does not need longer or more frequent operation times. A drip variance is proposed to allow additional watering for vegetable gardens.(Required)

Improve the workmanship of new irrigation systems by enhancing the enforcement of existing state and local irrigation standards on newly installed irrigation systems.(Required)

Change the watering hours to 5-10 a.m. and 9 p.m. to midnight to help reduce high demand on the energy grid in the evening. Customers could apply for a variance to water 7-9 p.m. with a hose-end sprinkler if no irrigation system is present.(Required)

Thank you for reviewing the draft. Please provide any questions or concerns related to the proposed changes in the draft below. SAWS is working with a rate consultant to develop the surcharge and the fee on the bill.

CAPTCHA