SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The San Antonio City Council received a final briefing on Thursday on a proposed series of rate increases from the San Antonio Water System (SAWS), which seeks to raise water rates by about 29% through 2029 to fund infrastructure upgrades and operations.
SAWS proposed annual rate increases of 6% to 8% through 2029, with the increases for 2028 and 2029 subject to adjustment. The utility estimated that the average residential customer’s monthly bill would rise by about $4.60 per year under the proposal.
SAWS officials presented the plan during a council session and said the increases would support repairs and replacement of aging infrastructure, including pipes that are nearly 100 years old.
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones urged council members to approve the proposal, saying the rate increase would help prevent future water infrastructure failures.
Jones cited water system issues in Corpus Christi as an example of problems that cities should avoid.
District 7 Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito raised concerns about the proposal and said she would prefer that the council review an audit before voting on the rate increases. She cited ongoing water main breaks near Jefferson High School and said system water loss affects customer bills.
SAWS CEO Robert Puente said the utility had reduced major line breaks by 19% since 2023 after hiring additional repair crews. Puente said response times for reported leaks had improved and stated that crews now respond the following day after a report is made.
District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo supported the proposal and said infrastructure investment would reduce long-term costs. She said delayed maintenance can increase future repair expenses and public health risks.
SAWS previously proposed cumulative rate increases of about 34% in February but revised the figure downward after updating financial projections.
The City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposal on June 18. If approved, the first rate increase would take effect on July 1.
