The Chamber’s Water Committee hosted Mary Bailey, Vice President of Business Planning and Controller for San Antonio Water System (SAWS), at our latest meeting to discuss the proposed 2017 SAWS budget, which includes a 6.8 percent rate adjustment. The proposed adjustment is well below the pre-approved 7.9 percent unanimously approved by the City Council in 2015, a proposal the Chamber was vocal in supporting, which you can read more about here.
Two-thirds of the new revenue will be used to support capital improvement programs that include wastewater, water supply and water delivery projects. Some of the most notable projects will include $112 million for Vista Ridge Pipeline Integration and $5.6 million for one year of utilities and chemical costs to operate what will be the largest desalination plant in the country. The plant will generate approximately 12 million gallons of water per day (mgd) or 13,440 acre-feet per year from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer. In addition, SAWS plans to invest $171 million in sewer main and lift station replacements and $75 million in main replacements and production upgrades. Such improvements are mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as per the consent decree approved in June 2013.
Other proposed 2017 initiatives include proactive water planning and customer service technology enhancements. An Automatic Meter Infrastructure (AMI) assessment is being proposed to enhance monthly automated meter reads with a wireless system that collects multiple remote reads per day, allowing for better leak detection, increased billing features and improved customer service. The proposed budget will also support continued conservation efforts and investments in education and awareness, an initiative the Chamber greatly advocated for in 2015.
The District Special Project (former BexarMet) integration will be complete on January 1, 2017 and will include the first water rate adjustment since 2010. Residents did not experience water rate increases during integration. While the average residential customer in District Special Project areas will see a combined increase of 7.8 percent in water and sewer bills, low-consumption customers who use 2,992 gallons or fewer will see a decrease of 3 percent in their monthly bill.
Customers may also qualify for more financial assistance through the SAWS Affordability Discount Program than ever before. This program will offer direct financial assistance on a customer’s monthly bill up to $21.40 a month in 2017, an increase from $18.00 a month in 2016. With this assistance, a qualifying customer can see their average monthly bill reduced by as much as 34 percent.
SAWS staff will be conducting five public meetings to inform the community on the proposed 2017 budget and rate adjustments. You can view a list of these upcoming meetings at this link. The final meeting will be held at SAWS Headquarters and will be broadcast online for those who cannot attend in person. SAWS is scheduled to brief City Council at B-Session on November 9th. If approved, rates would be effective January 1, 2017 and appear on customers’ bills in February 2017.
The Chamber will continue to support efforts to meet the growing demand for water from our residential, business and military communities. The efficient and effective management and distribution of this essential resource is necessary to sustain the economic vitality of our city and the quality of life for our residents. While the average residential bill is expected to continue to increase nominally over the next few years, water rates in San Antonio remain among the lowest in Texas and across the country.