SAWS outlines $3.2 billion five‑year capital plan and draft rate needs; council presses for maps, cost details and protections for low‑income customers

San Antonio Water System officials told City Council on Feb. 4 that current rates are unlikely to cover the utility’s projected five‑year capital and operating needs, and staff presented a draft cost‑of‑service study that staff said would require significant rate revenue over the next five years unless alternatives are identified.

Jillian Jamieson, chair of the SAWS Board of Trustees, opened the briefing by describing board accountability and a performance scorecard validated by an outside consultant and saying the board sought council feedback before finalizing any recommendation. “We asked the board of trustees to join me today so that we could hear collectively the input from the city council,” Jamieson said.

Why it matters: SAWS staff described a capital improvement program (CIP) totaling roughly $3.2 billion for 2026–2030 to replace aging mains, upgrade wastewater plants, meet regulatory mandates and finish resiliency work begun after Winter Storm Yuri. Doug Evenson, SAWS chief financial officer, summarized a draft Carollo Engineers cost‑of‑service analysis and told council that the draft study finds current rate levels are insufficient; the draft study staff summarized calls for nearly 30% cumulative additional potable‑water rate revenue and more than 35% cumulative wastewater rate…