San Antonio Water System

Over the last few decades, San Antonio’s water supply has become increasing limited due to over-pumping of groundwater. To supply the city with clean water, the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) created a program using financial incentives, public education, and outreach initiatives to help the area’s biggest guzzlers – its commercial, industrial, and institutional customers – use water more efficiently. These measures have resulted in a water savings of 3.2 million acre feet, reflecting an almost 50% reduction in water use over the last 20 years – notwithstanding robust population growth. Click the link below to download the full case study.

Project at a Glance

Utility Overview

Utility: San Antonio Water System (SAWS)
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Population served: 1.86 million
Service area: 967 square miles

Challenges

Rapidly growing population and economy
Prolonged drought
Decreased water source permits
Need for Endangered Species Act compliance

Solution

A “conservation first” approach that treats conservation as a source of water supply. This includes three primary strategies:
1. education and outreach,
2. financial incentives, and
3. reasonable regulation

Costs and Funding Sources

Total project budget: $5.4 million
Incentive and education programs: $3.5 million
Conservation staff of 22 full-time people, 5 part-time enforcement officers, 4 seasonal PT staff, and periodic seasonal temporary staff: $1.5 million
Program management, research, and web development projects: $0.4 million
Funding source: Operating budget funded with utility rates