Proposal now heads to City Council for consideration in October
San Antonio Water System’s proposed “Water Forward” plan is moving ahead once again — in a slightly different form — following a unanimous vote by SAWS Trustees Aug. 4.
The multi-billion-dollar infrastructure improvement program aims to upgrade essential systems across the city — from replacing aging public water and sewer pipes to modernizing outdated treatment plants to installing emergency backup power systems and more.
The proposal now goes to San Antonio City Council for final consideration.
City Council was originally scheduled to vote on the plan — and a four-year rate adjustment to fund it — back in June. However, Council decided to delay that decision until October.
The new rates, if approved, would likely go into effect in January 2027 instead of July 2026 as originally planned.
“This updated ‘Water Forward’ plan ensures we can continue to deliver the reliable and responsible water and sewer services our community expects from SAWS — now, and for decades to come,” said Cecilia Velasquez, SAWS chief financial officer.
Velasquez said the revised plan retains the same four-year rate adjustment previously presented to City Council, which would increase the average monthly residential bill by a little less than $4 per month in 2027, with similar increases each year through 2030.
“So same four-year period, same four-year rates,” she said.
“We were able to preserve the bill impact to our customers, so I’m probably most excited about that part,” said Jelynne LeBlanc Jamison, SAWS chairwoman.
At the time of publication, SAWS leaders were expected to present the revised rate and infrastructure plan to City Council Sept. 30, with a vote on the proposal set for Oct. 8.
Learn more at saws.org/rates2026.