San Antonio Water System

2027 Budget

The 2027 Budget is designed to advance the Board’s Strategic Plan while ensuring the long-term sustainability of SAWS’ operations and financial resources. Through targeted investments in infrastructure, water supply resiliency, technology, and customer-focused programs, the budget supports implementation of the Water Forward plan, enhances operational effectiveness, and maintains the strong financial foundation necessary to meet future service and regulatory demands.

The 2027 Budget aligns with the Board’s Strategic Plan and achieves the following:

• Advance the Water Forward plan through significant investments in aging infrastructure, treatment facilities, and system resiliency projects to ensure reliable water and wastewater services.
• Implement a phased four-year rate adjustment plan to fund essential infrastructure improvements and support the long-term reliability, resilience, and sustainability of SAWS services.
• Reduce water loss within SAWS’ distribution network.
• Advance technology initiatives to improve productivity, enhance customer experience, and safeguard assets.
• Preserve strong financial metrics and maintain high credit ratings.
• Continue recycled water rate adjustments per the five-year plan approved in 2022 (includes a 10% increase in 2027).
• 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 2027).

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).