San Antonio SAWS 2026 Rate Plan: Commercial Accounts Should Model Water and Sewer Together
SAWS has a 2026 rate request and published general class water and sewer rates for commercial, industrial, apartment, and municipal customers. Here is what high-use accounts should model.
Key Takeaway
SAWS posted a May 5, 2026 public notice declaring intent to change water, wastewater, and irrigation rates effective for consumption on or about July 1, 2026 if approved. For current General Class accounts, SAWS lists 2026 inside-city water volume tiers beginning at $1.958 per 1,000 gallons for base use and a sewer volume charge of $4.368 per 1,000 gallons. Commercial accounts should model the proposed change against both water and sewer, not only the water rate.
May 5
Notice Date
2026 public notice
Jul. 1
Effective If Approved
2026 consumption
$1.958/kGal
Base Water
Inside-city General Class
$4.368/kGal
Sewer Volume
Inside-city General Class
What changed
SAWS is no longer a quiet-rate market. The utility says it is requesting a 2026 adjustment after more than five years of stable rates, citing wastewater treatment, wastewater collection, water stewardship, and emergency readiness as major drivers.
The public notice says proposed 2026 rates would take effect for consumption on or about July 1, 2026 if approved, with bills reflecting the rates on or about Aug. 1, 2026.
Commercial impact model
For General Class customers, SAWS uses a base-excess structure where the base amount is tied to the prior year average monthly usage. That means usage above historical base can move into higher water tiers, while sewer is charged as a separate volume line.
WaterForge models the rate-plan risk by testing an 8% blended scenario on a 300 kGal/month commercial account. A move from about $1,824/month to $1,971/month adds roughly $147/month, or $1,764/year. Actual exposure depends on meter size, inside/outside city status, prior-year base, sewer billing, pass-through fees, and irrigation classification.
What operators should do
Pull the account class and prior-year average monthly usage before using a simple percent increase. A San Antonio account that routinely exceeds its base can have a different risk profile than one with stable indoor demand.
Separate irrigation meters from domestic/process meters, then rank each meter by annual kGal. Smart Valve ROI is strongest on the meters where usage reduction lowers both water volume and sewer-linked charges.
Commercial Water Cost Alert
Model Your Facility's Exposure
Use your current monthly bill or kGal usage to estimate how much metered-volume reduction could offset this local rate pressure.
FAQ
When could SAWS 2026 proposed rates take effect?
SAWS says the proposed rates would become effective for consumption on or about July 1, 2026 if approved, with bills reflecting the rates on or about Aug. 1, 2026.
What SAWS rates matter most for commercial accounts?
General Class accounts should review meter service charges, water volume tiers tied to prior-year base usage, sewer volume charges, and any applicable pass-through or assistance-program fees.
Sources
Turn Rate Pressure Into a Water Savings Plan
Smart Valve helps commercial properties reduce metered volume before higher rates and surcharges multiply the cost of every gallon.
Calculate Your Savings