Beginning News Year’s Day, the cost of water will be going up for the average San Antonio Water Systems(SAWS) customer.
Last month San Antonio council members approved changes in water and sewer rates to help pay for new water supplies and to replace aging infrastructure.
Council members also approved a new way of pricing water that’s meant to encourage conservation.
The cost per gallon will now be based on eight levels of use instead of four. The first 3,000 gallons purchased will be the cheapest. Each of the next thousand or so gallons will cost more. And the next thousand plus gallons will cost more still, and so on.
SAWS Vice President of Communications Gavino Ramos says in 2016 about half of SAWS customers will receive lower water and sewer bills. The other half will pay more.
“Once you get into the 7,000-to-10,000 gallons you’re going to see a jump in your price. So that’s where we’re asking take a look at what you’re doing and see where you can pull back. Because that way you can save money and continue to conserve your way down,” Ramos said.
The average household which uses 7,000 gallons of water a month will see its bill go up 16-percent in 2016 or about four dollars a month. The bill will increase another four dollars a month in 2017.
The first statements with the new rates will arrive in February.
