Council signs off on SAWS plan that includes new charges for rulebreakers and heavy users, along with new watering hours.
The San Antonio City Council voted unanimously Thursday to adopt new drought and watering rules for residents and businesses intended to save water. Mayor Ron Nirenberg called the new regulations — which have been in the works for months by San Antonio Water System leaders — “a desperately needed update to reflect the times that we’re living in.
SAWS cuts off 4 apartment complexes for unpaid bills SAWS officials started discussing the changes last summer, which was the hottest on record and followed San Antonio’s second-driest year ever in 2022. Despite implementing drought restrictions both years, SAWS didn’t meet its goals for a 10% reduction in water use, Guz said. Instead, the utility’s water use, as measured by gallons per capita per day, increased after almost a decade of declining or holding steady.
Edwards Aquifer Authority moves to Stage 4 drought restrictions Other changes include new limits on drip irrigation systems, which were previously unregulated. The systems have pipes or tubing that allow water to drip onto soil or plants. Under the new rules, drip irrigation is restricted to three days per week during Stage 1, twice per week in Stage 2 and Stage 3 and once per week in Stage 4, which is a discretionary emergency stage.
As heat arrives, SAWS braces for record year of water line breaks The new watering hours will take effect immediately, but utility officials say they will be slow to start charging customers for violations. The new watering windows will be from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 9 p.m. to midnight, shifting from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The change is intended to reduce the amount of power SAWS uses to keep its tanks full from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Edwards Aquifer Authority San Antonio City Council CPS Energy Ron Nirenberg Karen Guz San Antonio District 9 North Side
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