In summer, outdoor watering can greatly increase household water use, especially if you have an in-ground sprinkler system. That’s because a single irrigation cycle can use 2,000 to 3,000 gallons or more. And even small inefficiencies — like leaks or frequent scheduling — can waste thousands of gallons more, leading to a hefty water bill.… Continue Reading Water smarter this summer
Winter is the ideal time to let your sprinklers sleep because your lawn is snoozing too. And that’s a good thing since we’re starting off 2026 still under watering rules — and in drought. Back-to-back years of record heat paired with a severe lack of rainfall continue to challenge the Edwards Aquifer. This means Stage… Continue Reading Let your sprinklers slumber on — it’s winter, and we’re still in Stage 3
Drought and hot fall weather are more than just uncomfortable. They also impact our water system, causing a higher-than-usual number of leaks and main breaks. Record breaking temperatures, limited rainfall and more outdoor watering than normal has put a strain on our pipes, requiring SAWS crews to maintain their 24/7 summer “main break season” schedule… Continue Reading Fall heat + scant rain = more leaks
Looking at a crispy brown lawn day after day is a downer. But before you run to the nursery for pallets of sod, consider this: a new lawn — whether it’s Bermuda, St. Augustine or Zoysia — takes an immense amount of water and care. Couple that with once-a-week Stage 3 rules and you’ve got… Continue Reading Thinking about new grass? Think again.
Recent dramatic (and sadly deadly) rain events remain fresh in our minds. So it seems odd to many that despite being inundated with rainfall, we are still solidly in drought — and Stage 3 watering rules. A little more than half the water our community uses comes from the Edwards Aquifer. This vast underground system… Continue Reading Drought persists despite recent downpours
While surprise rains generated some green around San Antonio, they did not bring us out of drought. It will take many more steady rainfalls to overcome the last five years of less-than-adequate rain. Meanwhile, Stage 3 watering rules remain in effect. This means it’s still important to water only on your assigned day (based on… Continue Reading We’re still in drought — and Stage 3 watering rules
Spring has sprung, though it’s a little hard to believe — partly because our plants look just OK, not great. But mostly because we haven’t had any meaningful rain in quite some time. The sad truth is we are still in drought. In fact, this is our sixth dry spring in a row — and… Continue Reading Years-long drought not expected to depart anytime soon
If your sprinklers are slumbering, well done — because your lawn is still hibernating too. And that’s a good thing since we’re starting off 2025 still under watering rules. Occasional showers in December were a welcome relief, but they didn’t put an end to the ongoing drought. Back-to-back years of record heat paired with a… Continue Reading Don’t water — it’s still winter, and we’re still in Stage 3
Despite a wetter-than-normal July, August came and went with little meaningful rainfall — and forecasters say there’s not much relief in sight. And so year five of San Antonio’s current drought marches on. On the plus side, the new watering rules are helping. Since Stage 3 was declared in June, SAWS customers have been using… Continue Reading Your questions answered about the new watering rules
Under the new watering rules ordinance, which was approved last week by City Council, all San Antonio Water System customers are now under newly established Stage 3 watering rules. SAWS customers had been in Stage 2 watering rules for two years. San Antonio has been in drought restrictions for much of the last five years.… Continue Reading SAWS Customers Enter Stage 3 Watering Rules
