Conservation
Ordinance
| Read the Full Conservation Ordinance |
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In 2013, an update to the ordinance was approved to help better align conservation goals with population growth and long-term water supply strategies. |
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San Antonio's cheapest source of water is conservation – water we don't use. For planning purposes, SAWS now includes water savings from conservation as a significant and separate "supply" to recognize its true contribution and value to our diverse portfolio of water supply projects.
Revisions to the city's drought ordinance will continue to build on our community's conservation success and water-wise ways to reach even greater savings. Residents will have more opportunities to achieve those results without compromising landscapes by participating in effective residential and commercial conservation programs.
Highlights of the 2013 Conservation Ordinance update include:
- Sprinkler use allowed 7-11 a.m. and 7-11 p.m. on your watering day in drought stages 2 through 4. The hours for Year-Round and Stage 1 remain the same as they are now.
- All residential fountains can operate at any stage of drought.
- Home car washing allowed during drought once per week on Saturday or Sunday as long as there is no water waste.
- Hand watering still allowed any day and time during all drought stages.
- Drought stages will be triggered based on a 10-day rolling average. Coming out of drought stages can be considered 15 days after the aquifer is above the trigger.
For Commercial customers:
- All indoor commercial fountains can operate at any stage of drought.
- Outdoor commercial fountains must have a SAWS variance in order to operate during drought stages 1 through 4.
- Existing cooling tower owners shall register their tower with the SAWS Conservation Department by May 1, 2013. New cooling tower owners shall register their towers prior to the start of operation.
Adopted by the SAWS Board and City Council, the rule changes are effective Feb. 18, 2013.
Cooling Tower Registration
Existing cooling tower owners shall register their tower with the SAWS Conservation Department by May 1, 2013. New cooling tower owners shall register their towers prior to the start of operation.
Non-Potable Tank Registration
Effective May 1, 2013, non-potable water tanks installed on a property to capture and store water generated from rainwater, stormwater, cooling towers, air condition condensate or other process for use again on-site, typically as irrigation must register with SAWS.
