By: Berto Guerra, SAWS Board of Trustees Chairman
As the world grapples with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, San AntonioWater System wants to reassure the community that there’s one thing they can always feel safe about: their water.
SAWS will continue to uphold our commitment to deliver safe, reliable drinking water to our community.
SAWS technicians test for water quality over 1,000 times each month. All of those tests must pass to ensure approval by state and federal authorities.
Between the quality of our source water, chlorine disinfection, and testing, there is no concern about coronavirus being transmitted through our public water system.
Service interruptions currently suspended
To ensure customers have access to water for washing hands and cleaning as a means to combat coronavirus, SAWS has halted service disconnections due to nonpayment – but account balances will continue to accrue.
We also understand that some families, more than ever, may be facing financial hardships. SAWS Uplift programs help ease the burden of utility costs for those who qualify — to ensure all our neighbors have access to life-sustaining water and sewer services. Learn more at uplift.saws.org.
Ensuring community well-being with a healthy work force
The health and safety of SAWS workforce, which provides vital, 24/7 essential service to our community, is critical to providing safe and reliable water and wastewater services to our customers.
Through years of business continuity planning, SAWS had alternatives in place to enable most employees to work from home, which will begin March 20. Upcoming Board and committee meetings will be conducted online, and meetings with external visitors and contractors will now be conducted by phone or video conferencing.
SAWS’ first priority – and core function — will always be delivering safe, reliable water services to our community, as well as planning for a safe future for generations to come.
As chairman of the SAWS board of trustees, I want to remind customers that SAWS is more than just your local water provider – we are a neighbor you can rely on.
Note: This editorial appeared in the San Antonio Express-News on April 3, 2020.