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Welcome to South Texas Our diligent focus on water stewardship means that water issues are never a source of contention – to companies like Toyota – when discussing the benefits of moving to San Antonio.

Water is the lifeblood of a community. Very few organizations are as tied to the fabric of life as we are. SAWS extends its reach into neighborhoods through important partnerships, education, stewardship and assistance to those in need.

Through community outreach, we proactively involve a cross-section of our customers to serve on various advisory committees such as the Citizens Advisory Panel. The strong ties we have formed with neighborhood/homeowner associations and other civic groups provide SAWS with a “community voice” on critical issues such as rates, capital improvements, conservation, and water resources.

Economic Development
Like any other component of our city’s basic infrastructure, the availability of high quality water is crucial to the economic success of our community. Whether it is extending recycled water lines for Toyota’s manufacturing process, expediting a lift station project for Toyota suppliers, or negotiating a site use agreement for Washington Mutual, SAWS plays a key role in attracting new businesses and jobs to San Antonio.

The Environment
From area creeks and rivers to community neighborhoods, environmental health is a top priority for SAWS. Our treatment plants routinely receive the highest awards in compliance standards from the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES).
In 2005 SAWS completed sewer installations in the Mission Espada neighborhood, once declared a significant health risk by the Metropolitan Health Department. At the PGA Tour facility – located over the sensitive Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone – SAWS created one of the most stringent environmental management plans in the country.

Learning about the water cycle, water conservation, and environmentalism can be fun. Just ask anyone who has ever been to SAWS WaterFest.

Conservation
Annual events like Spring Bloom and Season to Save are attended by thousands every year and contribute to a nationally recognized reputation for water conservation. SAWS leadership in the passage of the San Antonio’s new conservation ordinance could save an estimated 1.3 billion gallons
of water annually.

Education
Community events such as WaterFest and SAWS exhibits at the Witte Museum and the San Antonio Children’s Museum engage and involve a whole new generation of water savers.

Hurricane Relief
When thousands of Gulf Coast residents evacuated to San Antonio in the wake of two major hurricanes in 2005, SAWS broadened its definition of “community.” Our affordability program was adjusted to include non-profit groups and charities, existing customers who housed flood victims, and evacuees. SAWS waived deposits and late fees, and offered our new neighbors affordability discounts.

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