SAN ANTONIO — On Thursday, the San Antonio City Council voted to approve changes proposed by SAWS to address drought conditions, including changes to watering rules and the ways violations are billed to customers.
There are five highlights to the changes, which include new watering hours.
In Stage 2 restrictions, which San Antonio is in as of Friday, homeowners can water from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and again from 9 p.m. to midnight.
If you water outside of those hours and not on your designated day, you'll now see a fee automatically added onto your next water bill after July 6.
SAWS Vice President of Conservation Karen Guz said residents will have a chance to dispute this charge of $137 within 21 days of getting a notice.
“You would get a notice from SAWS saying, 'Here’s what we think happened,'" Guz said. "If you have questions give us a call right away. We're happy to talk to you about it."
SAWS is able to determine what happened by evidence gathered by their fleet of workers who go around the city to areas that have been flagged. Areas that are flagged might have been called in by someone.
Guz said it's not until photos, thorough documentation and notes are taken that a case will be created. A notice will then be sent to the homeowner.
Then the homeowner and SAWS will have a chance to review whether the fee should be charged.
"If you are a person or a business that violates multiple times, that will hopefully get your attention and (you'll) follow the rules," Guz said.
These first two changes are in effect immediately, following Thursday's City Council approval.
The next proposed rule is a change to Stage 3. Currently, Stage 3 limits everyone to watering only two times a month.
"Instead, we think a better Stage 3 would be a surcharge only on the highest users," Guz said.
The surcharge would replace the twice-a-month water rule in Stage 3. Guz said the surcharge is for the top 5% of water users. SAWS reports the Stage 3 surcharge of $10.37 per thousand gallons will take effect for water use surpassing 20,000 gallons a month.
"Last summer, the average single family home even in the summer months stayed under 8,000 gallons a month," she said. "So, usually when we see single-family usage of being 20,000 or more, it usually means a lot of landscaping water going on."
Guz said making these small changes would help the city get through a prolonged drought period, as well as what's expected to be a tough summer.
"This is the fifth year we have had reduced and recharge in the Edwards Aquifer," she said. "The current status of drought is worse than any SAWS has ever weathered."
Non-compliance fines or fines put into effect if SAWS moves into Stage 3 would not show up until after July 6.
"Here’s a key message if you're listening and you're getting a bill tomorrow: No, there is not going to be a surcharge applied on your water use," Guz said. "It's water use going forward from July 6 on a full billing cycle.”
For more information on all of the changes, click HERE.