San Antonio Water System implements new drought restrictions

The updated ordinance introduces new watering hours for different stages of drought.
Local irrigation business owner DJ Seeger says the changes have created opportunity for the industry to demonstrate the value of water conservation.

San Antonio’s City Council has approved updates to the city’s drought ordinance, reshaping the rules for landscape watering. The decision, made in June, aligns with the 2024 SAWS Water Conservation Plan and follows extensive public consultation. 

Watering schedule adjustments 

The updated ordinance introduces new watering hours for different stages of drought. Residents can now water their lawns once a week during the following hours: 

  • 5 to 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. to midnight in Stages 2, 3 and 4 

These hours are designed to provide more flexibility in the morning and reduce the peak energy demand in the evening, according to the systems’ website. The watering day continues to depend on the last digit of your street address. 

Drip irrigation watering hours will match those of sprinklers: 

  • Stage 1: Three times a week 
  • Stages 2 and 3: Twice a week 
  • Stage 4: Once a week 

Simplified process for water waste violations 

Water waste citations will now bypass the municipal court process. Instead, noncompliance charges will be added directly to the customer’s bill, streamlining the enforcement process. Customers can still appeal charges through a committee of non-SAWS employees. 

Introduction of stage 3 and 4 drought surcharges 

A new surcharge targets high water users, aiming to encourage conservation among both residential and commercial customers. This surcharge will affect the top 5% of water users: 

  • Stage 3: $10.37 per thousand gallons for use above 20,000 gallons per month for single-family accounts 
  • Stage 4: Threshold drops to 12,000 gallons per month 
  • Commercial surcharge rates will vary based on meter size. 

DJ Seeger, president of Seeger Water in San Antonio, says his company was involved in the changes to the system from day one, highlighting the collaborative efforts behind the new rules.  

“They came to us a year and a half ago and said, ‘Summer’s almost here, and we’re going to be in drought. We’re due for our seven-year drought management plan that has to be turned into the state. When we draft this plan, we’d like to update and overhaul everything and go to city council for approval,’” he says. 

SAWS invests heavily in its conservation department, and one of the challenges has been finding a way to pay for those investments, Seeger says.  

“The solution that Karen Guz, vice president of conservation, came up with was these drought surcharges,” he says. “People using excessive amounts of water on a luxury item like landscaping should pay more. They should pay an additional surcharge on top of the normal market rate for the water, and that will fund the conservation department.” 

Seeger explains that an engineering company out of Dallas was hired to determine the surcharge rate. Based on the law and what would be a fair market value, they decided on $10.37 per 1,000 gallons, in addition to the normal market rate. This surcharge will fund the conservation department based on current and predicted consumption data for the next decade and will be applied only when stage three drought is in effect. 

These changes have had a positive impact on the irrigation industry, Seeger says.  

“I think it was a fair idea,” he says. “The problem in irrigation globally is unqualified, uneducated people working on systems, causing massive water waste. By having this surcharge, property owners with inefficient systems managed by unlicensed and uneducated irrigators will face huge costs. This is solidifying the industry in San Antonio as a professional, serious, bonafide industry. In the two weeks since that passed, we’ve had around 75 new accounts come over to us because they know they’re already in the stage three surcharge range.” 

Stakeholder engagement and buy-in 

Curtis Smith, Texas Nursery and Landscape Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, emphasizes the importance of water conservation for the industry and the need for early stakeholder engagement.  

“Water conservation is a top priority for our members and our association,” Smith says. “We wish we would’ve had more time to engage at an earlier phase and give feedback on the full plan. It’s crucial for stakeholders to be involved early in the process to ensure their voices are heard.” 

Smith also highlights the need for industry professionals to stay informed and engaged. 

“Getting onto the email list for your local water entity and staying informed is key,” Smith says. “A lot of these entities are not necessarily experts in horticulture and irrigation, so it’s vital for industry professionals to provide their input and expertise.” 

Smith adds that despite some criticisms, the intention behind the new rules is not to harm the  

Broader trends in water conservation 

The updates in San Antonio are part of a broader trend where more municipalities are adopting stringent water conservation measures. For instance, Bozeman, Montana, recently adopted Ordinance 2155, which introduces water-efficient landscaping and irrigation standards for new developments. This ordinance was driven by the dual challenges of rapid population growth and limited water supplies. 

“These changes create a more fair and efficient system for all of our customers — even those that reside outside of San Antonio city limits,” says Guz. “San Antonio is in the fifth year of drought, and we are seeing Edwards Aquifer water levels continue to drop.” 

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