SAWS presents 2025 budget and multi‑year capital plan; officials flag debt, generators and potential rate increases in 2026–27

San Antonio Water System (SAWS) staff presented the utility’s proposed 2025 operating budget and a capital improvement program that staff described as a multiyear investment to maintain treatment plants, replace aging mains, expand backup generation and advance conservation and metering projects.

SAWS staff said the capital program is forecasted at roughly $606 million to $625 million in the plan presented to the board; staff said about $400 million of that could be financed with new debt over the coming years and that the plan anticipates significant cash and financing components. Staff highlighted a range of specific projects and cost estimates presented to the board: a meter modernization program (identified in the presentation at about $215 million), a multi‑year program to replace water mains (presented with a figure near $151.3 million), investments in generators and resiliency (staff said 36 generators are planned over five…