SAN ANTONIO WATER SYSTEM

The San Antonio Water System will install new electronic meters for customers over the next few years in order to help them better understand and control their water use, the utility said.

Officials are asking drivers to use an alternate route.

The San Antonio Water System announced a boil water notice Sunday afternoon for 700 homes and businesses west of I-10.

SAWS' Board of Trustees approved a $941 million budget Tuesday that includes a proposed $583 million for improving infrastructure.

After tabling the issue in October, SAWS staff recommended the board approve a resolution supporting the city's use of eminent domain Tuesday.

The City of San Antonio is considering using a $30 million chunk of the federal money it received from the American Rescue Plan Act to help pay off or pay down the overdue utility bills of struggling San Antonio residents.

Roughly 25,000 San Antonio residential accounts are at risk of having their water shut off as SAWS resumed disconnections Tuesday.

San Antonio Water System crews responded to a a sewer spill that occurred at West Military Drive and Leon Creek, according to the San Antonio Water System.

A cleanup is underway on the city’s West Side following a sewer spill from recent heavy rainstorms, according to the San Antonio Water System.

San Antonio Water System is set to resume water shutoffs after a year and a half.

Marilu Reyna, a public relations professional for nonprofit Baptist Child and Family Services, would represent SAWS' southeast quadrant.

Council members applauded SAWS reducing the number of customers facing disconnection by automatically enrolling them in payment plans.

A moratorium on shutting off water due to lack of payment is coming to an end in San Antonio in October.

San Antonio City Council’s Governance Committee members voted to extend the application deadline for the open SAWS board position to Oct. 1.

SAWS Board of Trustees approved a COVID-19 relief plan Tuesday to help SAWS customers that have fallen behind on their water bill payments.

Five applicants are vying for a spot on the San Antonio Water System board of trustees.

San Antonio will enter Stage 1 water rules Wednesday, ending a four-month reprieve from restrictions despite recent rains.

Expanding the city’s oversight of San Antonio’s electric and water utilities, the new Municipal Utilities committee kicked off Tuesday.

SAWS customers will eventually be able to track their water use in near-real time, if a pilot smart meter program is successful.

The number of SAWS customers eligible for disconnection continues to rise as the utility’s Oct. 1 deadline for disconnection draws closer.

SAWS says the goal is not to cut people off.

The Great Freeze of February now seems like a distant, ugly memory. The plumbing damaged by frozen pipes has largely been repaired or replaced, and...

Crews responded to a sewer spill on Swiss Oaks Drive caused by recent rains "inundating sewer lines in the area," according to San Antonio Water System.

A representative from SAWS stated that their W-6 project at Highway 90 and Leon Creek was inundated by the Leon Creek floodwaters, filling the project pit and tunnel.

After pushback from landowners and environmental groups, the San Antonio Water System has ditched a controversial plan to run sewer pipelines through protected land in North Bexar...

The City of San Antonio and the San Antonio Water System have lifted Stages 1 and 2 water restrictions effective Thursday.

A sewer spill cleanup is underway on the West Side following Saturday’s heavy rainfall, according to the San Antonio Water System.

click to enlarge Facebook / Trish DeBerry“I know water. I bathe in it," County Commissioner Trish DeBerry said. Mendoza LineBexar County Commissioner Trish DeBerry, whose public relations firm has a contract with the San Antonio Water System, denied any bias when lobbing softballs at the utility during hearings about February’s winter storm.“Electricity is so weird and unnatural, not like water,” DeBerry said. “I know water. It’s a wonderful working relationship.”County Judge Nelson Wolff appointed DeBerry and Commissioner Tommy Calvert as county liaisons to a committee reviewing local response to February's devastating winter storm.

SAN ANTONIO – The city of San Antonio and San Antonio Water System will close their bottled and bulk water distribution sites at 5 p.m. on Thursday. According to a news release, the decision to close the sites was made due to lower demand for bottled and bulk water after service was restored to all of San Antonio. The city will continue to provide bottled water delivery to vulnerable residents, including homebound seniors and apartment complexes with no drinking water, through Saturday. “Thanks to their efforts, we were able to distribute more than 500,000 cases of water and provide bulk water to our community.”AdSAWS is accepting applications from customers who need assistance making plumbing repairs to quickly restore service and minimize water loss. They can also get help filing an application by calling 210 233-FIXX (3499) or by emailing to CPR-SA@saws.org.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Water System Board of Trustees met Tuesday. One of the topics of discussion was how the public utility prepared for and responded to last month’s winter storm. Due to power outages and broken pipes, thousands of San Antonio homes were without running water for days during the week of wintry weather. Those with water were told to boil it for several days following the winter storm. Last week, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg announced that he would be forming a new committee to discover how the city can better prepare for situations like last week’s winter storm in the future.

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Water System is now accepting applications from customers who need help making repairs to broken pipes in order to restore service and minimize water loss after last week’s recent winter storm. The program provides assistance to repair burst pipes that resulted in a loss of water service to the residence or made it necessary to turn off water service to the home. The CPR program, in collaboration with the San Antonio Area Foundation, kicked off with $25,000 in seed money from Wells Fargo and a $250,000 donation from the San Antonio Spurs. To help SAWS provide assistance to as many residents as possible, the utility is asking residents and businesses to make a tax-deductible donation online. As an additional resource, the City of San Antonio has established the Emergency Resource Call Center and website to assist residents affected by the winter storm.

On the afternoon of Feb. 23, 2021, SAWS lifted all Boil Water Notices for customers after last week's winter weather. SAN ANTONIO – All San Antonio Water System customers in San Antonio can now use their tap water without boiling, utility officials announced Tuesday. SAWS’ water status map shows green for all of San Antonio. Here are steps recommended by the CDC following a Boil Water Notice:AdFlush pipes by running each hot and cold water faucet for two minutes. Flush, clean, and sanitize appliances that use tap water (such as ice machine and dishwasher) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

click to enlarge Sanford NowlinA power outage turned off lights and heat in this San Antonio neighborhood last week. San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg has minted a panel to investigate what the city and its utilities got wrong during last week's historic winter storm that left hundreds of thousands without power and water.Former councilman and San Antonio Water System trustee Reed Williams will lead the seven-member group, which also includes attorney and Texas Bar Association President Lisa Tatum and retired Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., along with council members Adriana Rocha Garcia, Clayton Perry, Ana Sandoval and Manny Peláez.“Our community deserves answers," Nirenberg wrote in the memo he issued Monday creating the panel. "I am asking that this effort be done as comprehensively and expeditiously as possible while maintaining the necessary thoroughness.”Nirenberg called on City Manager Erik Walsh to provide necessary support staff and for city-owned utilities CPS Energy and San Antonio Water System to provide experts as needed.During a conference call with reporters Tuesday, CPS Energy CEO Paula Gold-Williams said her organization's board ordered up its own audit of the power failures. CPS Energy officials will coordinate with the city to share findings, she added.

SAN ANTONIO – Additional areas of San Antonio can now use their tap water without boiling, San Antonio Water System announced Monday. After completing the required water quality sampling, and in consultation with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, SAWS scientists determined that additional areas of San Antonio will be released from the boil water notice immediately. SAWS is continuing to test water samples from other pressure zones to release additional areas soon. A map of the areas released from the boil water notice is attached to this release and shown with a green color. The boil water notice remains in effect for all other areas of the city not shown in green on the map.

This is the Feb. 21 map for tap water status across Bexar County, per the San Antonio Water System. The water distribution sites remain the same. The Ranger@TheRangerSACPer the San Antonio Water System, this map shows the water status across Bexar County. The green represents areas where the boil water notice has ended, while the orange represents areas where it's still in effect. The illustrated faucets represent bulk water distribution sites.

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 13: Actor Ricardo Chavira attends 2013 NBC Upfront Presentation Red Carpet Event at Radio City Music Hall on May 13, 2013 in New York City. There are still huge chunks of ice inside of pipes, blocking water flow and cracking pipes. Thank you @MySAWS pic.twitter.com/dbw8JEl8CY — Ricardo Chavira (@RicardoAChavira) February 20, 2021“I’ve been without water since Monday,” Chavira said. “There are still huge chunks of ice inside of pipes, blocking water flow and cracking pipes. Large chunks of ice = no water flow,” Chavira said.

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Water System CEO Robert Puente is picking up 1,001 lunch tabs for San Antonio residents. Puente is partnering with Lil Jay, Eatmigos, and some San Antonio restaurants. The promotion begins at 11 a.m.🌮Our CEO Robert Puente partnered w/ @llljayofficial, @eatmigos & #satx restaurants to pick up 1,001 lunch tabs today (Sun. This comes one day after San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg did a similar promotion and picked up 1,000 lunch tabs on Saturday. RELATED: Mayor Nirenberg picks up 1,000 lunch tabs for residents on Saturday

SAN ANTONIO – Most areas in the city of San Antonio have had their water restored, according to the San Antonio Water System. SAWS announced Sunday morning that 98% of households have had their water restored, but a few areas still remain without water in the far North and Northwest Sides of town. As of 3:20 p.m. on Sunday, residents in the castle hills are have had their water service restored. Although water may be restored in most areas of the city, there are still plenty of areas that still fall under the active boil water notice that SAWS enacted last week. RELATED: Parts of San Antonio released from boil water notice, SAWS announcesCustomers that are still under the boil notice may not have a lack of water, but have a lack of pressure.

click to enlarge Screen Capture / SAWS.orgSan Antonio Water System has lifted its recommendation for some customers that they boil water before drinking or cooking with it.The city-owned utility posted an interactive map on its website showing which neighborhoods no longer need to follow the notice. Most are inside Loop 410 or in the northern suburbs.SAWS issued the recommendation Wednesday after power outages from last week's winter storm reduced pumping pressure across much of the Alamo City.Those in areas where the notice has been lifted should still run taps to flush their pipes before drinking or cooking with the water, according to recommendations on the utility's website The map also shows where SAWS is operating bulk distributions of bottled water for those still under the order.

Boil water notice issued as city of Kerrville experiences ‘unprecedented strain’ on water systemSAN ANTONIO – Millions of residents across the state and in the San Antonio region have had to undergo a boil water notice following this week’s winter storm. The Boil Water Notice Rescinded for customers in the Enchanted River Estates water system , Public Water System ID No. Boil Water Notice Rescinded for customers in the River Bend Estates water system , Public Water System ID No. Boil Water Notice Rescinded for customers in the Lake Medina Shores water system, Public Water System ID No. Boil Water Notice Rescinded for customers in the Woodhaven Mobile Home Park water system , Public Water System ID No.

SAN ANTONIO – Lawyers for SeaWorld apparently had some concerns about the San Antonio Water System wanting to use its parking lot as a water distribution site for residents in desperate need of water. According to SAWS president and CEO Robert Puente, the lawyers had a lot of questions. The SeaWorld site was among seven water distribution sites at SAWS pump stations where the utility is giving away free water for customers who have no water or low water pressure due to the winter storm. The sites will be open until the water system is back to normal operating conditions. Check below for the water distribution site closest to you:NACO (drive-thru), 13655 O’Connor RoadSeale, 254 Seale RoadMission, 615 E Theo AveMaltsberger (drive-thru), 8910 Jones MaltsbergerUniversity (drive-thru), 7172 Hausman RoadSeaworld, 10349 Military Dr. W.SE Booster (drive-thru), 1208 S Loop 1604 W.Related:

The melted ice and snow on the roadways allowed for easier transit for people to fill their containers with water after being days without water due to frozen or burst water pipes. SAWS employees at some locations helped customers affected by the winter weather pump water. Customers for SAWS are required to bring their own 5-gallon bucket or water jug in order to receive a maximum of 5-gallons of water each day. Take care of turning it off right away.”Beginning Saturday, all water distribution pump stations will open at 8 a.m. and wrap up services at 6 p.m..Customers at the Seale, Mission and Seaworld locations must pump their own water. Check below for the water distribution site closest to you:

Volunteers are needed to help staff the distribution sites. Volunteer shifts are available Monday, February 22nd through Friday, February 26th from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Volunteers will assist with loading cases of water into vehicles and provide instructions at the distribution sites. Volunteer shifts are available Monday, February 22nd through Friday, February 26th from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Volunteers will assist with loading cases of water into vehicles and provide instructions at the distribution sites.

click to enlarge Sam Cox / Flickr Creative CommonsBREAKING: SAWS will charge all customers the LOWER of 2 amounts on their next bill: either the total charges for current month, or last month’s charges, whichever is lower ⬇️ to aid customers who might have a high bill due to a freeze-related leak ➡️https://t.co/WZmi8Zewiv pic.twitter.com/cDtVQFcoK7 — 𝐒𝐀𝐖𝐒 (@MySAWS) February 18, 2021For those worrying they'll be hit with an astronomical water bill after flooding and pipe breakages from this week's storm, San Antonio Water System has announced plans that may provide peace of mind.On Thursday, the utility unveiled a relief program that will apply to all customers' next monthly bill. Under the initiative, customers will be charged the lower of two amounts — either last month's charges, or the charges for the current month.“This extreme weather event has caused unimaginable hardships, and the last thing our neighbors need to worry about right now is their next water bill,” SAWS President and CEO Robert R. Puente said in a news release. “These are very trying times for many, and we want to help ease the burden any way we can.”

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Water System is opening seven water distribution locations at its pump stations on Friday to provide customers with water. As a precaution, the water should be boiled before drinking or used in cooking, mirroring the current boil water notice advisory for the city, officials said. The sites will be open until the water system is back to normal operating conditions. The city of San Antonio and the San Antonio Food Bank will also be setting up separate bottled water distribution sites throughout the city. Check below for the water distribution site closest to you:NACO (drive-thru), 13655 O’Connor RoadSeale, 254 Seale RoadMission, 615 Theo ParkwayMaltsberger (drive-thru), 8910 Jones MaltsbergerUniversity (drive-thru), 7172 Hausman RoadSeaworld, 10349 Military Dr. W.SE Booster (drive-thru), 1208 S Loop 1604 W.Related Stories:

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Water System customers can breathe a sigh of relief after officials say bills will be lower than expected for all customers. Residents in San Antonio have had to drip faucets to prevent pipes from freezing and some may have even had a leak due to a busted pipe from the below-freezing temperatures and wintry weather. This may have led to some concerns for residents on a potential spike in their next bill. “This extreme weather event has caused unimaginable hardships, and the last thing our neighbors need to worry about right now is their next water bill,” said SAWS president/CEO Robert R. Puente in a release. If you’re still unable to pay your bill’s full balance, visit SAWS’ website here.

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Water System customers should boil their water before drinking it until further notice. Puente said the boil water notice comes out of “an abundance of caution” due to low water pressure and said that only water used for drinking needed to be boiled. He said while there are small pockets of water outages in the middle of the city, low water pressure was a bigger issue for most customers. He also said that the lack of power isn’t the only issue for water customers right now. AdDistrict 8 Councilman Manny Pelaez asked SAWS officials how people could be expected to boil water without electricity.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio City Council is holding an emergency meeting at 2 p.m. Wednesday to discuss issues related to the winter storm. Among the items to be discussed is how the city, CPS Energy and the San Antonio Water System have responded to the weather crisis. The emergency meeting comes on a day when nearly 242,000 CPS Energy customers remain without power. Stay InformedAs always, Your Weather Authority team will keep you updated. You can get the very latest forecast anytime by bookmarking our weather page and downloading the KSAT Weather Authority App - available for both Apple and Android devices.

SAN ANTONIO – As temperatures get above the freezing mark, San Antonio Water System officials are reminding people that it’s important to check your plumbing. You need to find out if any pipes have broken or cracked because leaks can cause lasting and costly water damage. Here’s the advice from SAWS:Please pay special attention to pipes in outside walls or unheated spaces because leaks from there could cause significant damage to homes and businesses. If you suspect a leak, shut off the main water service to your home and contact a plumber to make the repairs. Watch the video below to learn how to shut your water off at the meter:Also on KSAT:

click to enlargeSan Antonio Water System will join Texas cities such as Corpus Christi, Arlington and Fort Worth this afternoon by issuing a boil-water notice, CEO Robert Puente said during an emergency city council meeting. "This is a precautionary boil-water notice," Puente said, explaining that state regulators require residents to boil water they consume when water pressure is low. The order will not apply to water used for bathing and other uses. "If you're going to consume water from your tap, boil it," he added.During this week's crippling winter storm, power outages have plagued SAWS's pumping stations, which has led to low pressure or a complete lack of water in some neighborhoods. "When we knew we had a system coming in, we should have had an acting planning session, not waiting to see what happens."

SAWS is not going to shut the water off to the city. SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Water System officials said Tuesday that rumors about the utility shutting off water to residents is not true. ‼️First, let us correct a rumor: SAWS is NOT going to shut water off to the city. Leave cabinet doors open under the kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow warmer room air to circulate over the pipes. Note: Once warmer weather has returned, it’s important to check the plumbing in areas that might have frozen.

#tbt to a vivid 2011 summer edition of The Ranger. First, professors and students advise each other. Here are the takeaways: Students want interactivity beyond lecturing, while professors want students to — this is awkward — come to class! Think critically and don’t text!

San Antonio College@SAC_PRSAC celebrates Women’s History Month throughout March! Join us for the opening event, “Pandemic Protests: A Panel Discussion,” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 3. Pre-register at: https://bit.ly/3bcX5QA

San Antonio Water System crews tested for ammonia Monday after a sewer spill flowed into the San Antonio River. Anne Hayden, a spokesperson for SAWS, noted the rain had also increased the river's flow, which helped clear the spill. SAWS crews had replaced pipes in the area in 1993. Hayden said officials were surprised by Sunday's break because SAWS has had good results under the consent decree. San Antonio residents can help the utility improve sewer performance by throwing wipes and grease in the trash, as well as immediately reporting sewer spills at 210-704-7297.

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Water System crews are working to repair a sewer spill on the South Side. The sewer spill happened Sunday near the 8500 block of Mission Parkway. SAWS officials said the sewer main in the area ruptured and water is flowing into the San Antonio River. Crews will be working to stop the spill throughout the night and will continue to investigate causes for the spill Monday morning. For more details on the spill, visit www.saws.org/sewer.

click to enlarge Courtesy Photo / VIA Metropolitan TransitAdditional funding for VIA was one of the issues on Tuesday's ballot. Some political experts questioned how much support the initiatives would garner during a high-stakes presidential race when the focus was on the top of the ticket. Others questioned voters' appetite for funding the training initiative and VIA by shifting money away from a popular aquifer protection program. However, the numbers suggest many were willing to trust city leaders that the aquifer would be protected under the aegis of the San Antonio Water System, which is now expected to take over the groundwater program. "They understand that when you create a well-trained workforce it attracts jobs," Barberena said.

Marvin Pfeiffer /Staff file photoStage 1 watering restrictions go back into effect in San Antonio on Friday, prompted by recent unseasonably hot temperatures and a lack of rain, officials said. The decision, announced Thursday, comes just as restrictions enacted in July were lifted at the end of September, officials with the San Antonio Water System said.

Most of her work was for private companies, she said.However, the E-N reported Wednesday that DeBerry's company has renewed contracts with San Antonio Water System and the Brooks project, which is overseen by the Brooks Development Authority. "There’s no conflict of interest with the county," DeBerry told E-N journalist Brian Chasnoff in defense of the renewal. "The county has no oversight or funding of SAWS." Even so, the daily has reversed the endorsement, throwing it instead to attorney Christine Hortick, a Democrat running for the traditionally Republican seat on the court. "She would make a fine county commissioner," the paper opines.Stay tuned for what could become an unpredictable election for once reliably Republican Precinct 3.

SAN ANTONIO – Despite cooler temperatures on the horizon with November approaching, a lack of rain and unseasonably hot temperatures are forcing a return to Stage 1 watering rules, the San Antonio Water System announced. San Antonio entered Stage 1 in early July and came out of restrictions at the end of September. “San Antonio has missed the lower temperatures and rain we typically receive at this time of year. However, watering with a handheld hose is allowed any day, any time. RELATED: SAWS: San Antonio water ‘constantly tested,’ safe to drink

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Water System will test an automatic metering system aimed at improving meter reading and billing capabilities while identifying water leaks quicker. According to a news release, the pilot program will be tested in three separate test areas across the city beginning in March 2021. Long term, this will result in savings, as well as better planning ability for our customers," SAWS Chair Jelynne LeBlanc Burley said. Total cost for the pilot phase is scheduled to cost $7.1 million, the release said. A similar program is used by water utilities in Houston, Austin, New York and San Jose.

TEXAS – As Texas officials work to clean Lake Jackson’s water system after it was contaminated by a deadly brain-eating amoeba, San Antonio Water System Officials assured customers that San Antonio’s water is safe to drink. “Rest assured, SAWS water is safe to use and drink," said Anne Hayden, SAWS Communications Manager. Hayden said 7,000 water tests are performed each year on San Antonio’s water. Crews will also thoroughly inspect the water system to see if unfiltered water is making its way into the water system. The latest information on San Antonio’s water quality can be found here.

SAN ANTONIO – Stage 1 watering rules will come to an end on Tuesday for San Antonio Water System customers. According to a news release, recent rains and cooler weather has sent the 10-day average for the Edwards Aquifer above the trigger of 660 feet. As a result, SAWS advised San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh to end the watering rules that have been in place since July 10, which he agreed to do so in consultation with SAWS President/CEO Robert R. Puente, per city ordinance. While the city is returning to year-round watering rules, recent rains and seasonal drop in temperatures reduce the need for outdoor watering according to SAWS officials who urge residents to leave in place once-a-week watering. SAWS customers can still take advantage of SAWS WaterSaver coupons and rebates.

San Antonio – Local environmentalists are pushing for more transparency when it comes to San Antonio Water System projects. The announcement was made next to Mud Creek, near the Agua Vista plant on Hardy Oaks, where the groups say water from the Vista Ridge Pipeline project is wastefully dumped. A project 10 years in the making: Vista Ridge Pipeline is now online“This water's already been paid for, and it's just flowing down the creek. The Vista Ridge project was partially completed in April. Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include information about the Central Water Integration Pipeline (CWIP) project.

Conservationists push for more transparency from San Antonio Water SystemPublished: June 10, 2020, 10:27 pmSan Antonio environmentalists are pushing for more transparency when it comes to SAWS projects.

An eight-year legal battle that challenged the Edwards Aquifer Authoritys unique board structure came to an end last week in the aquifer authoritys favor. This further assures the stability of our mission with greater certainty that we will be able to continue to manage, enhance, and protect the Edwards Aquifer system in the manner the Texas Legislature intended, Roland Ruiz, general manager of the Edwards Aquifer Authority, stated in a news release this week. That means Bexar County, with a population of more than 2 million, is represented by seven votes, and the other counties, with a combined population of 893,000, get eight. But the per-capita water use of residents in rural counties is several times that of Bexar County, the aquifer authority argued. Such disparate usage shows that residents of the agricultural and spring-flow counties are more dependent upon the aquifer and thus are disproportionately affected by the [aquifer authoritys] regulation thereof, it wrote.

Published: May 23, 2020, 2:59 pm Updated: May 25, 2020, 10:47 amHELOTES, Texas – A boil water order was canceled for residents in Helotes on Monday morning, days after a significant water main break on Friday caused concern about the potable water supply. The San Antonio Water System rescinded its boil water notice around 10:30 a.m. Monday, according to a news release. Below is a map of the area where residents are currently affected by the water main break. Here is the area impacted by a boil order still in place for Helotes residents after water main break . Boil order issued after water main break in Helotes

San Antonio Public Works is closing this North Side street for the next monthThousand Oaks Drive between Wetmore Road and Perrin-Beitel Road will be closed to traffic for at least four weeks for street reconstruction and improvements, according to a tweet from San Antonio Public Works. ... more Photo: Bing Maps Photo: Bing Maps Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close San Antonio Public Works is closing this North Side street for the next month 1 / 1 Back to GalleryA major North Side road will be closed for at least four weeks for street reconstruction and improvements, according to a tweet from San Antonio Public Works. Starting today, Thousand Oaks Drive between Wetmore Road and Perrin-Beitel Road will be closed to traffic. San Antonio Water System is installing utility pipes, which is causing the closure. The improvement projects on Thousand Oaks Drive will be ongoing, the spokesman said.

San Antonio Water System officials had intended to celebrate the completion of their Vista Ridge project with its headquarters lit blue to coincide with National Drinking Water Week. Appearing on video chat, many wearing masks, the SAWS board of trustees spoke feelingly of the 142-mile pipeline that has untethered San Antonios future growth from the drought-sensitive Edwards Aquifer. Vista Ridge water is already flowing into SAWS system, but only to northern suburbs like Stone Oak. They also focused on how Guerra and Secretary Pat Merritt have exceeded their term limits and continue to serve on the SAWS board. The Vista Ridge water is flowing; Mr. Guerra promised to be going, said Terry Burns, chair of the Alamo Group of the Sierra Club, which opposes the project.

Photos: Here's why SAWS says 'the only thing that should go in the toilet is toilet paper'San Antonio Water System employees are working to ensure a "fatberg" formed when oil and grease poured down drains combine with wipes flushed down toilets does not form underneath the Alamo City. Photo: San Antonio Water System Photo: San Antonio Water System Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Photos: Here's why SAWS says 'the only thing that should go in the toilet is toilet paper' 1 / 14 Back to GalleryIn October, workers spent three weeks clearing a 4-ton "fatberg" the size of a double-decker bus from a London sewer. Anne Hayden, a SAWS spokesperson, said "the only thing that should go in the toilet is toilet paper." Problems are arising as some people under the city's stay-at-home order turn to alternatives to traditional toilet paper. "If you have to use something besides toilet paper, throw it in a trash can," Hayden said.

SAN ANTONIO – Now that toilet paper is hard to find during the pandemic, more people are turning to alternative options. She said toilet paper dissolves in sewage pipes but tissues, paper towels, and wipes do not. Full Screen 1 / 7 This is what happens to wipes after flushing them down the toilet. “What happens with the wipes is, it gets caught on a rough part of the pipe, or on a branch, and then other wipes start catching on it. So throwing wipes in a bathroom trash can isn’t just to keep your home safe from leaks.

SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio Water System employee has tested positive for COVID-19, officials said. According to a news release, the employee last worked March 30 and did not have direct contact with customers. SAWS has conducted a deep cleaning of the employee’s work area and will continue to sanitize all locations to ensure the safety of employees. As of Thursday at 7 p.m., there are 615 positive cases of COVID-19 in Bexar County. COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new virus, stands for coronavirus disease 2019.

SAWS lifts boil water notice for neighborhood on city's far North SideThe boil water notice has been lifted for a neighborhood on the city's far North Side, San Antonio Water System said in a news release on Thursday. The boil water notice has been lifted for a neighborhood on the city's far North Side, San Antonio Water System said in a news release on Thursday. Photo: SAWS Photo: SAWS Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close SAWS lifts boil water notice for neighborhood on city's far North Side 1 / 1 Back to GalleryA boil water notice has been lifted for a neighborhood on the city's far North Side, San Antonio Water System said in a news release on Thursday. SAWS issued the boil water notice for the area Tuesday evening after a water main break at 24935 Toutant Beauregard caused a loss of pressure to customers nearby. The agency also distributed bottled water to the affected customers during the boil water event.

In the past week and a half, CPS Energy has significantly ramped up the number of staff working remotely. Ten days ago, only around 450 CPS Energy employees were working from home. CPS Energy officials say they wont disclose them until the sales are final. Most of the meeting focused on how CPS Energy is coping with coronavirus. Disclosure: CPS Energy is a Rivard Report business member.

It also doesn't prevent shut-offs for small businesses such as bars and restaurants, which have taken deep financial blows from the pandemic. What's more, the measure doesn't address reconnecting residents who have already been switched off.For its part, San Antonio's CPS Energy announced March 11 that it's suspending customer disconnects. From local politics and culture to national news that hits close to home, San Antonio Current has been keeping San Antonio informed for years. If quality journalism is important to you, please consider a donation to San Antonio Current. Every reader contribution is valuable and so appreciated, and goes directly to support our coverage of critical issues and neighborhood culture.

As of Friday morning, the City has not required any of its roughly 12,500 employees to work from home. The City has allowed around 1,200 of them to telecommute, City Manager Erik Walsh told the Rivard Report on Friday. Health officials say 29 people have tested positive for coronavirus, with six of those cases clearly tied to community spread. None of our employees or their household members have tested positive for the virus, said Deputy City Manager Mara Villagmez. We are however, paying close attention to the direction from our owners, the City of San Antonio, and will follow guidance there as well.One of the biggest barriers to having more City employees work from home has been technology.

SAWS closing its headquarters customer service location amid coronavirus concernsSan Antonio Water System headquarters is located at 2800 US-281 North. San Antonio Water System headquarters is located at 2800 US-281 North. Photo: Google Street View Photo: Google Street View Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close SAWS closing its headquarters customer service location amid coronavirus concerns 1 / 1 Back to GallerySan Antonio Water System said it will close access to its headquarters for bill payment starting Wednesday, according to a Tuesday news release. SAWS locations that are still operational are at the Las Palmas Shopping Center location at 803 Castroville Rd. SAWS has temporarily suspended account disconnection during the coronavirus crisis but charges will continue to accrue and will have to eventually be paid in full.

SAWS closing headquarters amid coronavirus concernsSan Antonio Water System headquarters is located at 2800 US-281 North. San Antonio Water System headquarters is located at 2800 US-281 North. Photo: Google Street View Photo: Google Street View Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close SAWS closing headquarters amid coronavirus concerns 1 / 1 Back to GallerySan Antonio Water System said it will close access to its headquarters for bill payment starting Wednesday, according to a Tuesday news release. SAWS has temporarily suspended account disconnection during the coronavirus crisis but charges will continue to accrue and will have to eventually be paid in full. SAWS has temporarily suspended call center hours on Saturdays only.

Stop stockpiling bottled water amid coronavirus fears, San Antonio officials sayAnna Saenz, right, gets help from son Gabriel Thomas while loading groceries including water and toilet paper Friday, March 13, 2020. Anna Saenz, right, gets help from son Gabriel Thomas while loading groceries including water and toilet paper Friday, March 13, 2020. Photo: Bob Owen /Staff Photographer Photo: Bob Owen /Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Stop stockpiling bottled water amid coronavirus fears, San Antonio officials say 1 / 20 Back to GallerySan Antonio officials reassured residents Friday that there is no need to buy large quantities of bottled water amid growing concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus. But public officials said Friday that the rush to buy bottled water is unnecessary because the San Antonio Water System provides homes with water that is safe and reliable to drink. Emilie Eaton is a criminal justice reporter in the San Antonio and Bexar County area.

But the citys many homeowner associations (HOAs) continue to favor water-thirsty, non-native turf grasses and resist residents who want native plant landscaping. Yet some HOAs tell homeowners they cannot install drought-tolerant landscaping featuring native plants, even though a 2013 state law permits residents in HOAs to employ xeriscaping. SAWS, the city-owned water utility, has invested heavily in enlightening the community about the benefits of drought-tolerant native plants over grass lawns. In his most recent book, Natures Best Hope, native plant advocate Douglas Tallamy called HOAs one of the biggest stumbling blocks to replacing turf grass with native plants. Meanwhile, Augustin still must comply with the HOAs landscaping requirement in his front yard.

San Antonio Water System wont disconnect service for customers who fail to pay bills amid coronavirus concernsAn photo illustration shows a person washing their hands with disinfectant soap. San Antonio Water System announced Thursday it would not shut off water for residents who fail to pay their bills so they have access to running water to wash their hands and clean during the U.S. coronavirus outbreak. San Antonio Water System announced Thursday it would not shut off water for residents who fail to pay their bills so they have ... more Photo: Koen Van Weel /ANP /AFP Via Getty Images Photo: Koen Van Weel /ANP /AFP Via Getty Images Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close San Antonio Water System wont disconnect service for customers who fail to pay bills amid coronavirus concerns 1 / 1 Back to GallerySan Antonio Water System wont shut off water service for residents who fail to pay their bills amid the U.S. coronavirus outbreak, utility officials said Thursday. No cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in San Antonio aside froom the quarantined patients brought to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Joshua Fechter is a staff writer covering San Antonio city government and politics.

In a potential speed bump for Mayor Ron Nirenberg's ConnectSA , the Express-News is reporting that one aspect of the proposed transportation plan would cut funding for the city's aquifer protection program by half.Mayor Ron Nirenberg has promoted turning over aquifer protection to the San Antonio Water System to free up some $40 million in annual revenue to expand bus service under ConnectSA. What's more, the protection program remains popular , having been approved by local voters four times in the past two decades.Puente's revelation is likely to give more fuel to both of those arguments. From local politics and culture to national news that hits close to home, San Antonio Current has been keeping San Antonio informed for years. If quality journalism is important to you, please consider a donation to San Antonio Current. Every reader contribution is valuable and so appreciated, and goes directly to support our coverage of critical issues and neighborhood culture.

The San Antonio Water System should prioritize affordability above all else when reconfiguring its water and sewer rates, according to a citizen advisory committee. In 2015, SAWS raised rates for single-family residential customers more than it did for commercial, industrial, and multi-family residential customers. Courtesy / San Antonio Water SystemThe RACs recommendations will factor into how SAWS officials consider setting water and sewer rates for the next five years. In 2015, SAWS first began implementing eight progressive tiers of residential water rates, rising from $0.07 to $0.48 per 100 gallons, as use increases. SAWS implemented these rates after the RAC last met in 2014 and 2015, with the previous RAC members recommended conservation as SAWS No.

VIA also receives revenue from a half-cent of local sales tax and another one-eighth-cent from the Advanced Transportation District. Nirenberg has not publicly explained key details of his proposal, including how much funding the aquifer protection program still needs. The process regarding SAWS taking over the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program is in its early stages. Over 19 years, the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program has led to the expenditure of $255 million in sales tax revenue to preserve nearly 160,000 acres of land. Our singular focus on SAWS board is to fulfill our fiduciary responsibility to the customers and ratepayers of SAWS, and thats it.

The San Antonio Water System is getting ready to decide which of its customers will pay the most for water and which will pay the least. When they last did this, in 2015, they lowered the water rates for big businesses and increased them for most households. Buying and bringing that water 142 miles to San Antonio costs more than twice the costs of SAWS desalinated brackish water, the second-most expensive source. To manage our citys water supplies for resilience, SAWS rates must never incentivize businesses that would deplete precious aquifers during severe drought. It needs to divide the General Class rates into real water-relevant classes that dont hide where subsidies go.

Nirenberg and top San Antonio Water System officials called Tuesday for SAWS to take on funding the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program. We can do all of these things and be a grownup city thats ready for the future.SAWS isnt new to aquifer protection. At Tuesdays meeting, SAWS Chair Heriberto Berto Guerra Jr. said the utility is willing to take on aquifer protection again. In November, the SAWS board approved a 2020 budget that includes a 52.4 percent increase in the water supply component of residents SAWS bills. SAWS board members also said they need answers on how taking on aquifer protection will affect utility bills.

SAN ANTONIO - Residential customers of San Antonio Water System will be paying more for water in 2020. SAWS serves more than 1.8 million people throughout the San Antonio area, according to the water utility's website. SAWS customers say recent water bills are 'outrageous,' some upset over CEO's $100k bonusSAWS water bills increased by 5.8% in 2018 and 4.7% in 2019. The increase has also helped fund the Vista Ridge Pipeline, a 142-mile long water pipeline running from Burleson County to San Antonio. "76 percent of our customers water use never exceeds 7,200 gallons per month," said Hayden.

A group of residents protested outside the San Antonio Water System main office to voice their concerns about the possibility that the utility plans to access more land near the Vista Ridge Pipeline Project.

San Antonio Water System's CEO Robert Puente received a $100,000 bonus and a 5% salary increase on July 3 following a review by an outside consulting company. Copyright 2019 by KSAT - All rights reserved.

Residents with concerns over high water bills protested outside of the San Antonio Water System headquarters Friday. Copyright 2019 by KSAT - All rights reserved.