RATES AND CHARGES

San Antonio City Code ch. 34, art. II, div. 6

in effect

San Antonio City Code § 34-121 Establishment of rate schedules.

Sec. 34-121. - Establishment of rate schedules. The schedule of water service rates and charges contained in Schedule A relating to residential water customers, the schedule of water service rates and charges contained in Schedule B relating to general water customers, the schedule of water service rates and charges in Schedule C relating to wholesale water customers, the schedule of water service rates and charges in Schedule D for irrigation water rates, the schedule of water service rates and charges relating to Uplift Assistance Program customers in Schedule G, and the schedule of conservation fee water rates and charges relating to residential, general and irrigation customers in Schedule H, as amended, attached hereto, shall be effective for all consumption on or about January 1, 2024 as appropriate, and shall be the lawful rates for water service to be charged by the system. (Ord. No. 80330, § 1, 6-16-94; Ord. No. 90733, § 3, 10-21-99; Ord. No. 92752, § 1, 10-19-00; Ord. No. 99994, § 2(Att. I), 11-18-04; Ord. No. 101681, § 3(Att. I), 11-17-05; Ord. No. 2015-11-19-0956, § 4(Att. I), 11-19-15, Res. No. 16-302, Att. III; Ord. No. 2017-12-07-0928, § 1(Att. I), 12-7-17; Ord. No. 2022-11-10-0867, § 1(Att. I), 11-10-22; Res. No. 2023-198, 10-3-23)

San Antonio City Code § 34-121.1 Pass-through of EAA permit fee.

Sec. 34-121.1. - Pass-through of EAA permit fee. The assessment of a pass-through of the Edwards Aquifer Authority ("EAA") permit fee to all water customers is authorized. The initial monthly pass-through of the EAA permit fee shall commence on or after January 1, 1998, and shall apply to all water customers and all types of water usage. Such initial pass-through, while estimated to be $0.00629 per hundred gallons of consumption, is subject to change, based on the formula set out herein. The San Antonio Water System is delegated the authority to administratively adjust such pass-through on an annual basis, on or about January 1 of each year, in accordance with the following formula: EDWARDS AQUIFER AUTHORITY ("EAA") PERMIT FEE ADJUSTMENT An adjustment will be made to the Edwards Aquifer Authority Permit Fee annually, beginning January 1, 1998, based on the following formula: the annual permit fee billed by the Edwards Aquifer Authority for the twelve-month period beginning in January plus the amount of the over-recovery or under-recovery from the prior twelve-month permit fee collections, divided by the project annual water usage, yields the permit fee on a dollars-per-gallon basis. Permit fee billed by EAA PLUS | Over-recovery/under-recovery from prior 12-month permit fee collections | Adjusted permit fee on a dollars-per-gallon basis of consumption, for the 12-month period beginning in the month of January ___________ | = Project annual water usage The San Antonio Water System is directed to show such pass-through as a line item on each customer bill. No pass-through shall be charged if there is not metered use by the customer during the month. (Ord. No. 87042, § 2, 12-1-97)

San Antonio City Code § 34-121.2 Pass-through of Water Uplift Assistance Program fee.

Sec. 34-121.2. - Pass-through of Water Uplift Assistance Program fee. The assessment of a pass-through of the Water Uplift Assistance Program fee (Water UAP fee) to all non-UAP water customers in the residential, general, and irrigation classes is authorized. The initial monthly pass-through of the Water UAP fee shall commence on or after January 1, 2023. Such initial pass-through, while estimated to be $0.1590 per thousand gallons of billed water consumption, is subject to change, based on the formula set out herein. The San Antonio Water System is delegated the authority to administratively adjust such pass-through on an annual basis, on or about January 1 of each year, in accordance with the following formula: WATER UPLIFT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FEE ADJUSTMENT An adjustment will be made to the Water UAP Fee annually, beginning January 1, 2024, based on the following formula: the annual revenue from the fee collected by SAWS for the prior twelve-month period beginning in January plus the amount of the over-recovery or under-recovery of the prior twelve-month costs of water service to UAP customers, divided by the projected annual water usage, yields the fee on a dollars-per-gallon basis. Water UAP fee billed revenue by SAWS for prior twelve (12) months. PLUS Over-recovery/under-recovery of the prior twelve-month total costs of water service to UAP water customers from the application of UAP water rates. PLUS Projected UAP cost increases from program growth and rate changes. DIVIDED BY Projected annual water usage subject to UAP Fee for the next twelve (12) months. EQUALS Adjusted Water UAP Fee rate on a dollars-per-gallon basis of consumption, for the next twelve (12) months period beginning in the month of January. The San Antonio Water System is directed to show such pass-through as a line item on each customer bill. (Ord. No. 2022-11-10-0867, § 1(Att. I), 11-10-22)

San Antonio City Code § 34-122 Rate schedules.

Sec. 34-122. - Rate schedules. Rate Schedules A, B, C, D, G, and H relating to residential, general, wholesale, irrigation, and Uplift Assistance Program customers are hereby amended and shall hereinafter read as attached hereto and incorporated herein. (Ord. No. 80330, § 1, 6-16-94; Ord. No. 92752, § 1, 10-19-00; Ord. No. 99994, § 2(Att. I), 11-18-04; Ord. No. 101681, § 3(Att. 1), 11-17-05; Ord. No. 2022-11-10-0867, § 1(Att. I), 11-10-22)

San Antonio City Code § 34-122.1 Base use amount calculation for general and wholesale customers.

Sec. 34-122.1. - Base use amount calculation for general and wholesale customers. The amendments to Rate Schedule B relating to general and wholesale customers, which is attached hereto and incorporated herein, shall utilize a base use amount calculation, as such term is more thoroughly defined in Section 34-2.01. (Ord. No. 92752, § 1, 10-19-00)

San Antonio City Code § 34-122.2 Affordability reduction in meter charges for residential customers.

Sec. 34-122.2. - Affordability reduction in meter charges for residential customers. Residential customers that qualify to receive assistance from the City of San Antonio Community Initiatives Department, Community Action Division (CAD) based on federal income guidelines established by the CAD may qualify for a reduction in monthly water meter charges. Such qualification must be presented in writing to the San Antonio Water System Customer Service Department. (Ord. No. 92752, § 1, 10-19-00)

San Antonio City Code § 34-122.3 Economic development rate schedule.

Sec. 34-122.3. - Economic development rate schedule. Rate schedule D, establishing potable water rates for economic development customers, permitting the waiver of certain fees and costs, and permitting the provision of water and wastewater infrastructure at reduced or no cost to an economic development customer, is hereby adopted and attached hereto and incorporated herein. (Ord. No. 97264, § 2(Att. 2), 2-27-03)

San Antonio City Code § 34-122.4 Water service interconnect rate.

Sec. 34-122.4. - Water service interconnect rate. (a) Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivations shall have the meaning in this section. Customers. The application of the water service interconnect rate shall apply to customers or entities that request to interconnect into the system to receive water services on a temporary basis that: (1) Do not have a current contract for wholesale water service with the system at the point of service that is included in the request; and (2) Plan to resell the water provided by the system to its own customers. The system shall have the discretion to determine whether or not a particular request for temporary water service qualifies as either a wholesale water service request or a request for temporary water service under this temporary interconnection rate. In making such a determination, the system may consider whether or not the requirements for service included in the request are within the system's long-term capabilities and consistent with the system's master plan. Water rates of the customer. The water rates shall be herein defined as those water rates and charges in effect for residential customers of the customer at the time of the billing of the water service interconnect rate by the system. The water rates shall include but not be limited to all applicable water rates, surcharges, and charges for the procurement of existing or additional water sources. Water rates of the system. The water rates shall be herein defined as those water rates and charges in effect for residential customers as defined under chapter 34 article II and amended from time to time. The water rates shall include but not be limited to the water supply fee, all applicable water rates, and Edwards Aquifer Authority Fees. (b) Application of water service interconnect rate. (1) Billing of customer. The system shall bill customer in accordance with the provisions in chapter 34, article II. (2) Systems' right to sell water. System has an obligation to serve its customers who are not under the water service interconnect rate. System shall have the right not to sell to customer in any event that it deems necessary to preserve the capacity to serve customers who are not under the water service interconnect rate. When possible, system shall notify customer in advance that it will not be able serve customer under the interconnect arrangement for a designated time period. (3) Required documentation. Customer shall provide to system on a monthly basis its monthly forecast for the next 12-month time period of water usage needs required of the interconnection infrastructure. The forecast documentation is necessary for system to determine its ability to service customer under the water service interconnect rate. Customer shall also provide to system on a monthly basis its current rate schedules then in effect for its residential customers, including all applicable charges and fees that would be charged to its residential customers for that month. If billing to customer is not according to the applicable rate schedules then in effect at time of billing, system reserves the right to bill customer on the applicable rates for all usage that was applied to the incorrect rate schedules. (4) System's ability to provide standby services. System recognizes that the interconnect services are necessary to provide services that are on a standby basis and the rate should incorporate a provision for the standby service. (5) Payment for the interconnection infrastructure. Customer shall pay for all services related to connecting into the infrastructure of the system, to include capital and operations costs. Customer shall pay for the pipeline costs in advance of receiving water services from system. In the event system must incur operations costs to service the interconnect infrastructure, system shall bill customer the current costs of time and materials. (6) Assignment of water under water service interconnect rate. Water service provided to customer through the interconnect line is intended for the use of the customer on a temporary or emergency basis. Customer shall not assign the provisions of the water service to other water purveyors. (c) Water service interconnect rate. The water service interconnect rate is hereby established and is applicable to the use of potable water. Customer shall be charged on a monthly basis for the preceding monthly metered usage based on the following calculations: (1) Rates. Customer shall be charged the highest bill calculated based on the metered usage on the interconnect line of the customer applied to the water rates of the system and the water rates of the customer; (2) Standby charge. Customer shall be charged monthly for the ability of system to provide standby services at the system's meter fee rate on the interconnect meter. If water usage is metered for two (2) consecutive months or for more than three (3) months during a calendar year, then the system shall charge additional standby services of ten (10) times the applicable meter fee rate or monthly service availability charge for each month of metered usage in the calendar year; and (3) Time and material charges. Customer shall be charged monthly for all time and material charges incurred to service the interconnect infrastructure. Such billing shall detail the reason for the charges in addition to the time and unit costs. (Ord. No. 101684, § 1(Att. I), 11-17-05)

San Antonio City Code § 34-123 Variance procedure for general water service customers.

Sec. 34-123. - Variance procedure for general water service customers. If a general water service customer seeks an administrative variance from the applicable base use amount set out in Schedule B, the procedures set out herein shall be followed. The general water service customer shall apply in writing to the director of customer service, setting out the basis for his/her request for an administrative variance. Such request must clearly detail the factors upon which the customer is claiming relief from his/her base use amount. Such factors may include the seasonal nature of the business, health and safety needs and unique business processes. The director of customer service shall review the request, and may ask for additional written information from the customer if needed. Once all information requested by the customer service director has been received, the customer service director will respond to the request in writing within twenty (20) working days from receipt of all required information deemed necessary by the customer service director to render a decision. If the customer does not agree with the determination of the director of customer service, the customer may appeal such determination within ten (10) working days to the President/Chief Executive Officer of the San Antonio Water System. The President/Chief Executive Officer shall make an independent review of the written information submitted by the requesting customer and the written determination and supporting documentation submitted by the director of customer service. The President/Chief Executive Officer shall make a written administrative determination on the variance request within ten (10) working days of receipt of the written appeal. If the customer does not agree with the determination of the President/Chief Executive Officer, the customer may request an appeal to the San Antonio Water System Board of Trustees through a written request to the President/Chief Executive Officer. The President/Chief Executive Officer shall schedule a hearing before the Board as soon as practicable, but in no event less than sixty (60) days after the receipt of the variance request. (Ord. No. 92752, § 1, 10-19-00)

San Antonio City Code § 34-124 Irrigation water service charge.

Sec. 34-124. - Irrigation water service charge. (a) General. An irrigation water service rate is hereby established and is set out in Schedule C which is attached hereto and incorporated herein. Such rate is applicable to the use of potable water for the growth and maintenance of outdoor landscaping and turf. Such rate is not applicable when recycled water is used for such purposes. (b) New non-residential accounts. From and after the date of this ordinance, all customers that are installing an in-ground landscape irrigation system and seeking application for water service from the San Antonio Water System for new non-residential accounts shall be required to install a separate irrigation meter. All non-residential accounts receiving new service after 12:01 a.m. December 1, 2000 that install an in-ground irrigation system after initial water service is established will be required to install a dedicated irrigation meter when the new in-ground irrigation system is installed. (c) Existing non-residential accounts. Existing non-residential customers that have an irrigation system and do not have a separate irrigation meter may choose to install a separate meter for irrigation purposes. (1) If an existing non-residential customer that has an irrigation system chooses not to install an irrigation meter the customer has two options: Option One: a. SAWS will estimate for the non-residential customer through the use of surveys, meter sizes, past use or other methods the amount of water used for irrigation purposes. SAWS will notify in writing the resulting finding and apply the appropriate rate schedule. b. SAWS at its own discretion reserves the right to install irrigation meters on existing non-residential accounts SAWS determines would be beneficial for SAWS to install. c. SAWS will make all reasonable efforts to have irrigation use defined for all existing non-residential accounts that have irrigation systems by December 31, 2001. Option Two: If an existing non-residential customer chooses Option Two they must submit a Potable Water End-Use Report that at a minimum calculates the volume of potable water from a single meter that is used separately for irrigation and non-irrigation purposes. The Potable Water End-Use Report must be prepared by a registered professional engineer, licensed landscape irrigation auditor or licensed master plumber. The Potable Water End-Use Report must include the findings of a flow study, a description of potable water end-use categories found on site, a landscape plan and any other information the customer would like to include as supporting documentation in the report. The completed Potable Water End-Use Report must be submitted to the director of customer service of the San Antonio Water System. If the director of customer service approves the Potable Water End-Use Report, the San Antonio Water System shall mail notice of this action to the customer and shall make adjustments to the customer's bills retroactive to the date the Potable Water End-Use Report was received in the office of the director of customer service. Those non-residential customers existing prior to January 1, 2001 that choose this option must have end-use reports submitted to the director of customer service by April 1, 2001. (d) New and existing residential accounts. Both new and existing residential customers may choose to install a separate irrigation meter. (Ord. No. 92752, § 1, 10-19-00)

San Antonio City Code § 34-124.1 Variance procedure for irrigation water service customers.

Sec. 34-124.1. - Variance procedure for irrigation water service customers. If an irrigation water service customer requests an administrative variance from the rate he/she is being charged pursuant to Schedule C, the procedures set out herein shall be followed. The irrigation water service customer shall apply in writing to the director of customer service setting out the basis for his/her request for an administrative variance. Such request must clearly detail the factors upon which the customer is claiming relief for the amount he/she is currently charged. Such factors may include but are not limited to health and safety needs. The director of customer service shall review the request, and may ask for additional written information from the customer if needed. Once all information requested by the customer service director has been received, the director of customer service shall render a decision in writing to the customer within twenty (20) working days from receipt of the completed request. If the customer does not agree with the determination of the director of customer service, the customer may appeal such determination within ten (10) working days to the President/Chief Executive Officer of the San Antonio Water System. The President/Chief Executive Officer shall make an independent review of the written information submitted by the requesting customer and the written determination and supporting documentation submitted by the director of customer service. The President/Chief Executive Officer shall make a written administrative determination on the variance request within ten (10) working days of receipt of the written appeal. If the Customer does not agree with the determination of the President/Chief Executive Officer, the customer may request an appeal to the San Antonio Water System Board of Trustees through a written request to the President/Chief Executive Officer. The President/Chief Executive Officer shall schedule a hearing before the Board as soon as practicable, but in no event less than sixty (60) days after the receipt of the variance request. (Ord. No. 92752, § 1, 10-19-00)

San Antonio City Code § 34-125 Multiple meters serving residential and general customers.

Sec. 34-125. - Multiple meters serving residential and general customers. (a) Residential. The meter readings of two (2) or more meters with like service addresses shall be combined for billing purposes. However, if any such meter(s) with like service address is classified as a potable water irrigation meter, such meter reading(s) shall not be combined with the remaining meter reading(s). The meter reading amounts from the meters classified as irrigation shall appear on the account as irrigation use and a charge will be assessed in accordance with Rate Schedule C. Any remaining meters with a like service address not designated as irrigation meters will then be combined for billing purposes. Such combined meter billings will be based upon combining the applicable meter charges and the applicable volume charges as provided in the applicable residential rate schedule attached hereto. Such combined meter reading amounts will appear on the account as domestic use (non-irrigation water and sewer). (b) General. The meter readings of two (2) or more meters even though serving a single general customer and even though serving a single building establishment shall not be combined for billing purposes. A separate billing shall be made for the water metered through each individual meter based upon the applicable meter charge and block-rate scale of volume charges as provided in the applicable general rate schedule attached hereto with the charges computed the same as if that were the only meter serving such customer, building or establishment. (Ord. No. 80330, § 1, 6-16-94; Ord. No. 92752, § 10-19-00)

San Antonio City Code § 34-125.1 Pipeline damage cost recovery fees.

Sec. 34-125.1. - Pipeline damage cost recovery fees. The following fees are established for the purpose of recovering certain costs incurred by SAWS in connection with each instance of damage to a SAWS pipeline from the party which caused the damage: (a) Dispatch fee for response to damaged mains: Four hundred and twenty-five dollars ($425.00) per instance reported to the SAWS emergency operations center. (b) The amount for the dispatch fee is effective January 1, 2025. The fee amount shall be adjusted on January 1 of each year thereafter by the percentage difference (greater than zero (0)) between the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as it is calculated by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics at the end of the month of July prior to the next year and as it was calculated at the end of the month of July one (1) year earlier, and subsequently rounded to the nearest dollar. SAWS will periodically perform a cost of service analysis to ensure that the fee charged do not exceed the cost of providing the services. (c) Lost water charge: The cost of water lost as a result of each instance of damage to a pipeline shall be recovered through the assessment on the estimated water loss volume of the current highest tier water supply fee rate assessed by SAWS, the current highest tier outside-the-city-limits (OCL) water delivery rate, and the current Water Uplift Assistance Program fee rate assessed by SAWS, and the current Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) permit fee rate. (Ord. No. 2017-12-07-0928, § 3(Att. II), 12-7-17; Res. No. 18-262, 11-13-18; Res. No. 19-280, 7(Att. V), 11-5-19; Ord. No. 2022-11-10-0867, § 2(Att. II), 11-10-22; Res. No. 2023-198, 10-3-23; Res. No. 2024-227, § 7(Att. IV), 11-5-24)

San Antonio City Code § 34-126 Fire flow test fee.

Sec. 34-126. - Fire flow test fee. Upon request, a fire flow test will be conducted by personnel of the system to provide flow data in support of any fire protection system located within the board's service area. An advance fee of eighty-one dollars ($81.00) shall be applicable for each fire flow test requested for purposes of obtaining fire flow data for a specific piece of property or building in order for the owner of the property or building to obtain insurance rating or coverage or to assist in the design and construction of an interior fire protection system. This fee amount is effective January 1, 2025. The fee amount shall be adjusted on January 1 of each year thereafter by the percentage difference (greater than zero (0)) between the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as it is calculated by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics at the end of the month of July prior to the next year and as it was calculated at the end of the month of July one (1) year earlier, and subsequently rounded to the nearest dollar. SAWS will periodically perform a cost of service analysis to ensure that the fee charged does not exceed the cost of providing the service. (Ord. No. 2007-12-13-1345, § 2(Att. B), 12-13-07; Ord. No. 2017-12-07-0928, § 3(Att. II), 12-7-17; Res. No. 18-262, 11-13-18; Res. No. 19-280, 7(Att. V), 11-5-19; Ord. No. 2022-11-10-0867, § 2(Att. II), 11-10-22; Res. No. 2023-198, 10-3-23; Res. No. 2024-227, § 7(Att. IV), 11-5-24)

San Antonio City Code § 34-127 Private fire protection water service connections; rates; billing; late payment; termination.

Sec. 34-127. - Private fire protection water service connections; rates; billing; late payment; termination. (a) Private fire protection water service line connections permitted may be one of the following three (3) types: Type 1 — A line utilized exclusively to supply service for closed circuit automatic sprinkler head system. Type 2 — A line to supply service for systems which have water outlets such as open head sprinkler systems, standpipes, hose connection outlets, external private fire hydrants on the premises, or other outlets used solely for fire protection purposes. Type 3 — A line to supply service for a combination domestic and private fire protection system where the fire system is composed of automatic sprinkler heads, standpipes, hose connections, external private fire hydrants, and where other outlets shall be classified as a domestic account. (b) The private fire protection water service charges for Type Nos. 1, 2, and 3 shall be based on the size of the fire flow line requirement determined in accordance with the system's "Regulations For Water Service." The water service rates which shall be the lawful rates charged on the three types of connections are contained in Rate Schedules A and B, attached hereto and incorporated herein. (c) Such charges shall be billed as of January 1 of each year and shall be the net annual charge for private fire protection service to be rendered during the ensuing calendar year. For private fire protection service established subsequent to January 31 of each calendar year, charges shall be prorated based on the number of remaining full months in the year. Charges for private fire protection water service are due and payable on or before thirty (30) days from the date of mailing of the bill. (d) For Type 3 (combination meter) accounts, private fire protection water service shall be billed in accordance with subsection (c), above. Domestic service shall be billed monthly in accordance with Rate Schedules A or B for general water service rates inside and outside the city limits, according to the size of meter required for domestic flow purposes. (e) A penalty for late payment in the amount of five (5) percent of the net charges shall be added to the current charges owing if full payment for such charges is not made to the system on or before thirty (30) days from the date of mailing of the bill. (f) In the event payment of applicable charges for private fire protection water services is not made on or before sixty (60) days from the date of the mailing of the system bill, service may be subject to termination in accordance with the procedure set out in division 4. (g) The system is hereby authorized and directed to promulgate and enforce detailed rules and regulations governing private fire protection water service connections and charges consistent with the provisions hereof. (h) The private fire protection water service rates on the three types of connections listed in section 34-127(a) above are effective January 1, 2025. The fee amounts shall be adjusted on January 1 of each year thereafter by the percentage difference (greater than zero (0)) between the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as it is calculated by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics at the end of the month of July prior to the next year and as it was calculated at the end of the month of July one (1) year earlier, and subsequently rounded to the nearest dollar. SAWS will periodically perform a cost of service analysis to ensure that the fee charged does not exceed the cost of providing the service. (Ord. No. 80330, § 1, 6-16-94; Ord. No. 2022-11-10-0867, § 2(Att. II), 11-10-22; Res. No. 2023-198, 10-3-23; Res. No. 2024-227, § 7(Att. IV), 11-5-24)

San Antonio City Code § 34-128 Drought surcharge purpose, definitions and billing cycles.

Sec. 34-128. - Drought surcharge purpose, definitions and billing cycles. (a) Purpose. This surcharge is to discourage discretionary water consumption by customers during advanced stages of drought or emergency conditions. (b) Definitions. As used in sections 34-128 and 34-129 and the associated surcharge rate sheets, the following terms are defined as follows: Non-residential irrigation customer. A non-residential San Antonio Water System customer (a billed commercial account as identified in the Drought Surcharge Schedule) that is assessed the irrigation rate and/or is billed for a portion of their water at the irrigation rate using methodology established in subsection 34-124(c), commonly referred to as "assumed irrigation customers". A non-residential district special project customer that receives water service under an account designated by the district special project as being solely irrigation in purpose. Using the subsection 34-124(c) methodology, the district special project may determine that a regular non-residential district special project customer uses a portion of their water for irrigation purposes, in which case that portion of consumption shall be designated as "assumed irrigation". Residential customer means a residential customer that has water service that is assigned a residential rate under the rates of the San Antonio Water System or the district special project. Residential irrigation customer means a customer that has both residential and irrigation service at a single service address under the rates of the San Antonio Water System or the district special project. (c) Billing cycles. All water consumption beginning with the next billing cycle subsequent to the declaration of a surcharge (section 34-320) may be assessed a surcharge. Such surcharge shall remain in effect for a minimum of one entire billing month. The surcharge shall remain in effect for another complete billing month, so that all customers are affected if stages III or IV is still in effect at the end of the original billing month. (Ord. No. 2007-02-08-0149, § 1(Exh. A), 2-8-07; Ord. No. 2014-05-29-0376, § 2(Exh. A), 5-29-14; Ord. No. 2024-06-20-0480, § 1(Exh. A), 6-20-24)

San Antonio City Code § 34-128.1 Drought surcharge.

Sec. 34-128.1 - Drought surcharge. A drought surcharge is a charge applied to a customer's bill as a result of high use during drought Stages III and IV. A drought surcharge is directly related to the volume of water used. All customers may be subject to a drought surcharge as set out in the drought surcharge schedules within this chapter 34 of the San Antonio City Code. (Ord. No. 2007-02-08-0149, § 1(Exh. A), 2-8-07; Ord. No. 2017-12-07-0928, § 4(Att. III), 12-7-17; Ord. No. 2024-06-20-0480, § 1(Exh. A), 6-20-24)

San Antonio City Code § 34-128.2 Reserved.

San Antonio City Code § 34-128.3 Reserved.

San Antonio City Code § 34-128.4 Uses of fees derived from the drought surcharge.

Sec. 34-128.4. - Uses of fees derived from the drought surcharge. All fees derived from the drought surcharge shall support conservation education and related programs. (Ord. No. 2007-02-08-0149, § 1(Exh. A), 2-8-07)

San Antonio City Code § 34-129 Administrative relief from imposition of drought surcharge; notification.

Sec. 34-129. - Administrative relief from imposition of drought surcharge; notification. (a) SAWS is hereby authorized to grant administrative relief to residential and non-residential customers in certain circumstances to the imposition of the drought surcharge or a portion thereof by granting a variance from applicable surcharge provisions. A customer who is seeking such relief must submit a request via electronic mail or submit a written request to SAWS based upon the health and safety needs of the customer. Such relief may be based upon but not limited to medical conditions requiring the use of water for special equipment or therapy or other compelling health and/or safety reasons. Extenuating circumstances for the maintenance of xeric landscape material may also be considered. SAWS will determine, as part of the variance process, which plant material qualifies as xeric in nature. SAWS shall review the request and determine whether the water consumption level for such customer should be raised and to what extent prior to the imposition of the drought surcharge for that customer. A customer shall be notified in writing within a reasonable time whether such relief is granted. A customer seeking drought surcharge relief shall be afforded all administrative remedies available to all SAWS customers. The rules for administrative relief will be approved by the SAWS president/chief executive officer or his or her designee prior to the implementation of any surcharges and in any case the rules should be developed and approved by January 1, 2008. (b) SAWS is hereby directed to notify customers that such variance procedure is available and to further notify customers where drought surcharge relief forms may be obtained. (Ord. No. 2007-02-08-0149, § 1(Exh. A), 2-8-07; Ord. No. 2024-06-20-0480, § 1(Exh. A), 6-20-24)

San Antonio City Code § 34-130 Meter trip fee.

Sec. 34-130. - Meter trip fee. A customer requesting assistance from SAWS to turn-off or turn-on water flow via the meter serving the customer shall be assessed a fee of twelve dollars ($12.00) for each trip required by a SAWS employee to satisfy the customer's request. This fee shall also be assessed for each trip necessary by a SAWS employee to turn-on water flow via a meter whenever a customer requests new water service from SAWS. For a customer who qualifies for participation in the SAWS Uplift Assistance Program, the meter trip fee amount shall be six dollars ($6.00). This fee amounts are effective January 1, 2023. The fee amount shall be adjusted on January 1 of each year thereafter by the percentage difference (greater than zero (0)) between the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as it is calculated by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics at the end of the month of July prior to the next year and as it was calculated at the end of the month of July one (1) year earlier, and subsequently rounded to the nearest dollar. SAWS will periodically perform a cost of service analysis to ensure that the fee charged does not exceed the cost of providing the service. (Ord. No. 2007-12-13-1345, § 2(Att. B), 12-13-07; Ord. No. 2022-11-10-0867, § 2(Att. II), 11-10-22)

San Antonio City Code § 34-131 Fire hydrant water usage regulation, rates, and meter fees.

Sec. 34-131. - Fire hydrant water usage regulation, rates, and meter fees. (a) General. SAWS may authorize a meter to be connected temporarily to a fire hydrant during construction operations in lieu of installing a temporary service line provided the customer: (1) Executes a contract for fire hydrant meter usage, (2) Pays the customer account deposit and all other applicable rates and fees as established in this section, (3) Assumes responsibility for the safekeeping of the meter, fitting and fire hydrant, and (4) Complies with backflow prevention requirements as established in the SAWS Utility Service Regulations. (b) Fire hydrant meter deposit, and daily availability charge. (1) Prior to obtaining a fire hydrant meter, the customer will be required to pay a fire hydrant meter deposit of one thousand eight hundred ninety-three dollars ($1,893.00). a. The customer shall indicate on the fire hydrant meter usage contract the location of usage of the meter by street address or by street name with the nearest cross street, and the estimated duration of meter usage at the designated location. b. The customer shall indicate whether the fire hydrant meter will be used for irrigation or non-irrigation purposes for the purpose of being assessed the appropriate water usage rates; a single meter may not be used for both types of usages during a given six-month usage period. (2) The daily availability charge for use of a fire hydrant meter shall be six dollars ($6.00). (3) The fee amounts for the fire hydrant meter deposit and the daily availability charge are effective January 1, 2025. The fee amounts shall be adjusted on January 1 of each year thereafter by the percentage difference (greater than zero (0)) between the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as it is calculated by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics at the end of the month of July prior to the next year and as it was calculated at the end of the month of July one (1) year earlier, and subsequently rounded to the nearest dollar. SAWS will periodically perform a cost of service analysis to ensure that the fees charged do not exceed the cost of providing the services. (c) Requirements for fire hydrant meter periodic calibration and meter readings. A customer authorized by SAWS to use a fire hydrant meter must meet the following requirements: (1) Return the meter to SAWS for inspection and re-calibration every twelve (12) months from the original date of the customer's fire hydrant meter contract; if the customer fails to meet this requirement, the customer will: a. Forfeit the fire hydrant meter deposit, and b. Be charged one hundred forty-four dollars ($144.00) per month in addition to all other fees and charges until the meter in question is returned for inspection and re-calibration (this monthly fee will not be prorated if the meter is returned in the middle of a billing period), and c. Be unable to obtain any additional fire hydrant meters from SAWS until the meter in question is returned for inspection and re-calibration. (2) Provide meter readings to SAWS on a monthly basis and report the location of the usage by the meter by street address, or by street name with the nearest cross street; if the customer fails to provide a meter reading for a given month on the day designated by SAWS, the customer shall be billed a flat fee equal to the OCL volumetric cost of water usage of seventy-four thousand eight hundred ten (74,810) gallons (one hundred (100) CCF) for the month. (3) The additional one hundred forty-four dollars ($144.00) per month fee amount indicated in section 34-131(c)(1), above, is effective on January 1, 2023. The fee shall be adjusted on January 1 of each year thereafter by the percentage of any approved monthly change (greater than zero (0)) for the next year in SAWS domestic water delivery rates, and subsequently rounded to the nearest dollar. (d) Fire hydrant water usage rate classes. Two separate classes of fire hydrant water usage rates are established one or the other to be assessed on monthly water consumption measured by the fire hydrant meter based on the type of usage declared by the customer at the time of entering into a contract with SAWS for use of a fire hydrant meter: (1) Non-irrigation usage. The customer shall be charged using the second tier general class water delivery outside the city limits (OCL) rates currently assessed by SAWS, the Water Uplift Assistance Program fee rate, the second tier general class water supply fee rates currently assessed by SAWS, and the current Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) permit fee rate. (2) Irrigation usage. The customer shall be charged using the highest tier irrigation class OCL rates currently assessed by SAWS, the highest irrigation water supply fee rates currently assessed by SAWS, the Water Uplift Assistance Program fee rate, and the current Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) permit fee rate. (e) Regulations for fire hydrant meter irrigation meter usage. (1) Fire hydrant meters may not be used for irrigation if regular metered SAWS irrigation service is available at the desired location of meter usage; if regular SAWS irrigation service becomes available after fire hydrant meter irrigation usage begins, the fire hydrant meter must be returned to SAWS immediately or else the meter is subject to unannounced retrieval by SAWS. (2) Customers using fire hydrant meters for irrigation purposes are subject to all drought management restrictions contained in article IV and must not irrigate between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. (3) Fire hydrant meters may only be used for irrigation purposes at one (1) location for six-months at a time; if customer desires to use the meter beyond the six-month period at one (1) location, the customer must apply to the SAWS President/CEO's designee in conservation for a variance using the procedure defined in section 34-276. (4) Fire hydrant meter irrigation usage found to be unauthorized by SAWS subjects the meter in question to unannounced retrieval by SAWS. (f) Regulations for unauthorized SAWS fire hydrant water usage. (1) Withdrawal of water directly from a SAWS fire hydrant without the use of a SAWS-issued fire hydrant meter as authorized under the terms of a duly executed fire hydrant meter contract is prohibited. (2) Should SAWS staff encounter and document an instance of such unauthorized usage, the person or entity making the withdrawal shall be assessed and billed a flat fee equal to the volumetric cost of water usage of seventy-four thousand eight hundred ten (74,810) gallons (one hundred (100) CCF) plus the equivalent of thirty (30) days of daily availability charges (3) The fees and charges listed in section 34-131(f)(2) above shall be assessed in addition to any legal enforcement action undertaken by the City of San Antonio for criminal theft of water. (Ord. No. 2007-12-13-1345, § 2(Att. B), 12-13-07; Ord. No. 2017-12-07-0928, § 3(Att. II), 12-7-17; Res. No. 18-262, 11-13-18; Ord. No. 2019-02-14-0123, § 1(Att. I), 2-14-19; Res. No. 19-280, 7(Att. V), 11-5-19; Ord. No. 2022-11-10-0867, § 2(Att. II), 11-10-22; Res. No. 2023-198, 10-3-23; Ord. No. 2024-06-20-0480, § 1(Exh. A), 6-20-24; Res. No. 2024-227, § 7(Att. IV), 11-5-24)

San Antonio City Code § 34-132 Same-day meter turn-on fee.

Sec. 34-132. - Same-day meter turn-on fee. A customer requesting that the system initiate or reinstate water service on the same day the application for service is made shall be assessed a fee of thirty-four dollars ($34.00) for this service. A customer who qualifies for participation in the SAWS Uplift Assistance Program requesting that the system initiate or reinstate water service on the same day the application for service is made shall be assessed a fee of seventeen dollars ($17.00) for this service. The fee amount is effective January 1, 2024. The fee amount shall be adjusted on January 1 of each year thereafter by the percentage difference (greater than zero (0)) between the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as it is calculated by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics at the end of the month of July prior to the next year and as it was calculated at the end of the month of July one (1) year earlier, and subsequently rounded to the nearest dollar. SAWS will periodically perform a cost of service analysis to ensure that the fee charged does not exceed the cost of providing the services. (Ord. No. 2017-12-07-0928, § 3(Att. II), 12-7-17; Res. No. 18-262, 11-13-18; Res. No. 19-280, 7(Att. V), 11-5-19; Ord. No. 2022-11-10-0867, § 2(Att. II), 11-10-22; Res. No. 2023-198, 10-3-23)

San Antonio City Code § 34-133 Bench meter test fee.

Sec. 34-133. - Bench meter test fee. A customer requesting that the system apply a bench test at the system's meter shop to the meter serving the customer's account shall be assessed a fee of one hundred twenty-three dollars ($123.00) only if the system finds that the meter being tested is accurate: The fee amount is effective January 1, 2025. The fee amount shall be adjusted on January 1 of each year thereafter by the percentage difference (greater than zero (0)) between the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as it is calculated by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics at the end of the month of July prior to the next year and as it was calculated at the end of the month of July one (1) year earlier, and subsequently rounded to the nearest dollar. SAWS will periodically perform a cost of service analysis to ensure that the fees charged do not exceed the cost of providing the services. (Ord. No. 2017-12-07-0928, § 3(Att. II), 12-7-17; Res. No. 18-262, 11-13-18; Res. No. 19-280, 7(Att. V), 11-5-19; Ord. No. 2022-11-10-0867, § 2(Att. II), 11-10-22; Res. No. 2023-198, 10-3-23; Res. No. 2024-227, § 7(Att. IV), 11-5-24)

San Antonio City Code § 34-134 Annual irrigation system evaluation compliance fees.

Sec. 34-134. - Annual irrigation system evaluation compliance fees. Failure to comply with the annual inspection requirements contained in subsection 34-273(3) shall result in the assessment of the following additional charges on the account associated with the irrigation system: (a) Annual enforcement fee in the amount of one hundred sixty dollars ($160.00); this fee shall be assessed on an annual basis until the requirements of subsection 34-273(3) have been met. (b) Additional volumetric rate of $0.8711 per one thousand (1,000) gallons on all irrigation consumption on a monthly basis; this additional rate shall continue to be assessed until the requirements of subsection 34-273(3) have been met. (c) The annual enforcement fee amount in section 34-134(a) above is effective January 1, 2025. The fee amount shall be adjusted on January 1 of each year thereafter by the percentage difference (greater than zero (0)) between the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as it is calculated by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics at the end of the month of July prior to the next year and as it was calculated at the end of the month of July one (1) year earlier, and subsequently rounded to the nearest dollar. SAWS will periodically perform a cost of service analysis to ensure that the fees charged do not exceed the cost of providing the services. (d) The volumetric rate amount in section 34-134(b) above is effective January 1, 2025. The fee amount shall be adjusted on January 1 of each year thereafter by the percentage difference (greater than zero (0)) between the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as it is calculated by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics at the end of the month of July prior to the next year and as it was calculated at the end of the month of July one (1) year earlier. SAWS will periodically perform a cost of service analysis to ensure that the fees charged do not exceed the cost of providing the services. (Ord. No. 2015-11-19-0956, § 4(Att. III), 11-19-15; Ord. No. 2017-12-07-0928, § 3(Att. II), 12-7-17; Res. No. 18-262, 11-13-18; Res. No. 19-280, 7(Att. V), 11-5-19; Ord. No. 2022-11-10-0867, § 2(Att. II), 11-10-22; Res. No. 2023-198, 10-3-23; Ord. No. 2024-06-20-0480, § 1(Exh. A), 6-20-24; Res. No. 2024-227, § 7(Att. IV), 11-5-24)

San Antonio City Code § 34-135 Noncompliance charge.

Sec. 34-135. - Noncompliance charge. The purpose of this charge is to discourage discretionary water consumption that is in direct violation of article IV use restrictions. Customers at locations of repeated or continued violations of article IV, may be subject to the noncompliance charge. SAWS will periodically analyze the charge to ensure it fairly reflects the overall dollar cost impact of noncompliance to the community. The structure and rate of the noncompliance charge is set out in the noncompliance charge schedule within this chapter 34 of the San Antonio City Code. (Ord. No. 2024-06-20-0480, § 1(Exh. A), 6-20-24)

San Antonio City Code § 34-135.1 Uses of fees derived from the noncompliance charge.

Sec. 34-135.1. - Uses of fees derived from the noncompliance charge. All fees derived from the noncompliance charge shall support conservation education and related programs. (Ord. No. 2024-06-20-0480, § 1(Exh. A), 6-20-24)

San Antonio City Code § 34-135.2 Dispute resolution.

Sec. 34-135.2. - Dispute resolution. (a) Request for review. The noncompliance provisions of section 34-135 and of article IV, drought management, water conservation, and reuse are to be administered and executed by SAWS. If a customer believes an enforcement action occurred in error, they may request the review of an enforcement action resulting in a noncompliance charge being applied to the customer's account. The customer must submit the following information in writing to SAWS Conservation within fourteen (14) days of the date of the notice of violation: (1) Name and address of the customer. (2) Account number. (3) Customer's contact information. (4) Specific provision(s) from which the customer is requesting relief. (5) Detailed statement as to how the specific provision(s) was misapplied or adversely affects the customer, extenuating circumstances that prevent(ed) compliance, or mitigating efforts made on the part of the customer. (6) Other pertinent information related to the dispute. (b) Request for review by president/CEO's designee. A customer may appeal the determination of an enforcement action review performed by conservation staff. If the customer's appeal is denied by conservation staff, the customer may request in writing that a secondary review be performed. The secondary review will be performed by either the president/CEO's designee in SAWS conservation or the VP of conservation's designee. This request must be made within five (5) working days of the customer being provided the results of the enforcement action review. In addition to the items stated in section 34-135.2(a), the request for appeal should include an explanation of the insufficiency of the conservation department's review. (c) Review by committee. A customer may appeal the determination of an enforcement action review performed by the president's designee in conservation. If the customer's appeal is denied the customer may request in writing that a tertiary review be managed by a review committee which shall be appointed by the board. The request for this review must be made within five (5) working days of the customer being provided the results of the enforcement action review. In addition to the items stated in subsection 34-135.2(a), the request for appeal should include an explanation of the insufficiency of the previous rounds of review. Determinations made by committee review are final. (d) Items excluded from review. The following are not eligible for review available under this section 34-135: • Dissatisfaction with a SAWS policy or regulation. • The noncompliance charge amount or structure as stated in chapter 34 of the San Antonio City Code and approved by city council. • A customer's inability to pay and/or other billing disputes regarding the amount of the noncompliance fee. (Ord. No. 2024-06-20-0480, § 1(Exh. A), 6-20-24)

Source: City of San Antonio, City Code, City Charter and Unified Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/san_antonio/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH34WASE_ARTIIWASERA_DIV6RACHFetched: 10/27/2026