San Antonio Water System outlines $500M plan to cut water loss, signals rate change discussion

San Antonio Water System officials told the City Council on Oct. 1 that the utility is moving to reduce system water loss through meter replacements, leak detection and a five-year program to replace vulnerable main lines, and that staff will return with budget and rate proposals for 2026.

The presentation, led by Andrea Beer, identified four immediate priorities: replace aging meters, expand leak-detection teams, accelerate main-line replacements and update capital planning to reflect higher construction costs. “Somos muy serios acerca de esta iniciativa, en los siguientes 5 años queremos gastar 500000000 de dólares,” Andrea Beer said, explaining the five-year target for main-pipe rehabilitation.

The emphasis on water-loss reduction follows months of higher leak counts and a longstanding problem with older infrastructure. Beer said SAWS has replaced a large share of meters and is on track to finish installations this year: “Estamos 91 por 100 completada la la instalación de todos los medidores, y pensamos tenerlos todos instalados para los fines del año 20 25.” David Stevenson, the utility’s financial officer, reviewed the 2026 budget timetable and fiscal drivers, including inflation and capital needs.

Why it matters: City council members repeatedly pressed SAWS staff for ward-…