The annual budget process is an effort to strike the appropriate balance between ensuring that rates remain affordable for SAWS customers and ensuring the ongoing operational and financial integrity of the organization.
Download the full 148-page approved budget document in Adobe PDF format.
Budget Report ArchiveView or download previous years' budget reports.
2026 Budget
The 2026 budget totals $1.10 billion and presents a financial plan designed to continue SAWS’ mission to provide sustainable affordable water services. The budget balances revenue requirements with available revenues and other funding sources to fund operating expenses, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) expenditures, and other key initiatives in accordance with San Antonio City Ordinance No. 75686. Some of the key initiatives include water loss reduction efforts, maintaining compliance with environmental mandates to include the requirements of the Consent Decree and the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule, continued repair and replacement of aging infrastructure, and the continued expansion of our system to serve San Antonio’s growing population.The 2026 budget aligns with the Board’s Strategic Plan and achieves the following:
- Maintain affordability by sustaining water and wastewater services without rate increases for these core businesses.
- Reduce water loss within SAWS’ distribution network.
- Maintain and upgrade infrastructure to ensure reliability and regulatory compliance.
- Advance technology to improve productivity, enhance customer experience, and safeguard assets.
- Preserve strong financial metrics and credit ratings.
- Continue recycled water rate adjustments per the five-year plan approved in 2022 (includes a 10% increase in 2026).
- Improve chilled water financial performance through the five-year rate plan approved in 2022 (includes an 8% rate increase in the demand charge for chilled water customers in 2026).