SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — The San Antonio Water System board on Tuesday unanimously approved a proposal for a gradual water rate increase totaling approximately $19 for residents over the next three years. The seven-member board's plan still requires approval from the San Antonio City Council, which is expected to vote on June 11.

If the council signs off, residents could see higher water bills as early as July 1. Beginning in 2026, the plan would raise the average bill from $56.68, with the total rising to $75.19 by 2029 — a 32.7% increase over that period.

Cecilia Velasquez, SAWS Vice President of Customer Experience and Strategic Initiatives, said the average resident's bill would increase by $4.47 in 2026, and that the utility would begin seeing additional revenues from the rate increase in August. She also said customers enrolled in the Uplift assistance program would not be affected by the rate increases.

Velasquez outlined how the changes would apply across different usage tiers. "At the lower usage (10,000 gallons), general customers would see a 5.9% increase, while the higher usage at 100,000 gallons would see a 6.7% increase," she said. Irrigation customers using 10,000 gallons would see a 7.5% increase, and those using 100,000 gallons would see an 8.2% increase, according to Velasquez.

San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones addressed the board during the meeting. "While this is a rate increase of, as you (Velasquez) mentioned, less than about $4.60 each year for 4 years, it is, in fact, the cheapest option to ensure we have the facilities that we need in the interest of public safety and public health," Jones said. The City Council vote on June 11 will determine whether the proposed rate structure takes effect on July 1.