City Council has unanimously approved increased water rates and rate structure, a strong display of confidence in the water utility’s ongoing efforts to diversify the city’s water supply and to encourage greater water conservation.
The recent vote follows two years of study, deliberation, and debate over the city’s long-range water future and the Council’s unanimous vote in October 2014 to endorse the $3.4 billion Vista Ridge water project.
Starting in 2016, San Antonio Water System (SAWS) will add four new usage and pricing tiers to the current four-tiered system. SAWS officials have said the new structure rewards customers who conserve and penalizes excessive water usage. Residents who conserve water and use less than approximately 3,000 gallons during their monthly billing cycle will be billed at the lowest rate. Additionally, SAWS will expand and promote its affordability discount for low-income customers.
Rates are projected to increase 7.5% in 2016 and 7.9% in 2017. The new rates will take effect on Jan. 1… Read more from the Rivard Report