In 2014, an update to the ordinance was approved to help better align conservation goals with population growth and long-term water supply strategies.
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.
The city’s drought ordinance continues to build on our community’s conservation success and water-wise ways to reach even greater savings. Residents continue to have more opportunities to achieve those results without compromising landscapes by participating in effective residential and commercial conservation programs.
Adopted by the SAWS Board and City Council, the rule changes became effective in May 2014.