There's some seriously sketch looking stuff going on with my bill.


Anybody else having huge over charges on theirs?

Yes. Don't know specifics but wife mentioned our water bill was crazy high.

The last 2 years I lived in S.A. (moved in 2020) we had one month of huge bills each summer. Like $200-$250 more than normal. We did leak investigation, etc. to eliminate an "oops" cause for the charges. Then we called and asked for an explanation. They merely told us the meter readings for the month(s) in question. They CLAIMED the meters were read every month, so the blame wasn't underestimated bills for a few months and then finally a catch-up bill, which I guess I could have understood. Since we complained, they gave us a meaningless "refund" of some pittance ($25 or $30, IIRC) so we'd shut up.

Others were affected by the same phenomenon. Neighbors mentioned it, and they even said something about it on the news, but nothing systemic or "questionable" was ever uncovered, but I firmly believe that's due to lack of serious attempts at investigative reporting. SAWS is more squirrely than CPS, and both are significantly less squirrely than elected leadership, which was a minor part in our choice to move out of SA and Bexar County (grandkids proximity being the overwhelming factor).

Good luck, I'm sure you're getting screwed, but not sure what your recourse is. If you're the organized and vigilant type, maybe reading your own meter every month would prevent/expose any future shenanigans?

FYI, SAWS is going through their 5 year rate advisory committee. The rate structure change is revenue neutral. BUT, lower tier users will be paying less. Customers that use over 9 to 10k gallons, per month, will be paying more. Some members of the committee wanted an even bigger disparity.

The new rate structure starts Feb 1 if approved by the SAWS board.

The new AMI system has started rolling out and should be completed in the next 2 years. Takes a while to change out 500k meters.

I love these rate structures. With a family of 5, pool and a half acre yard it's impossible to keep below 10k gal per month. During the summer we can't keep below a multiple of that. I don't mind paying more for use, and even bigger fixed fees for capital improvements, but I hate paying exponentially more to subsidize others. Drives me nuts.

CPS and SAWS were both $600+.

Yep. Article today, 83% will be same or less.

My bill for July was $650. I was watering 4 days a week for 10 minutes per station but no way it should have cost that right? I shut everything off and watched the meter and didn't see anything that led me to suspect a leak.

bonfarr said:

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My bill for July was $650. I was watering 4 days a week for 10 minutes per station but no way it should have cost that right? I shut everything off and watched the meter and didn't see anything that led me to suspect a leak.

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How many stations? I have 6 in my set and that can actually put out a pretty good amount of water. Four days a week is a lot even at 10 minutes each. I have mine set for right at 30 minutes a station on Wednesday and then I run them 10-12 more minutes on Wednesday after the sun goes down. I hand water once a week on my bare spots where I don't have a lot of soil.

bonfarr said:

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I was watering 4 days a week

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ISWYDT.

I'm down to $500 this month!

$425 last month to $120 this month.

I stopped watering entirely.

CPS bill came in for July, $550.

Nom de Plume said:

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I love these rate structures. With a family of 5, pool and a half acre yard it's impossible to keep below 10k gal per month. During the summer we can't keep below a multiple of that. I don't mind paying more for use, and even bigger fixed fees for capital improvements, but I hate paying exponentially more to subsidize others. Drives me nuts.

CPS and SAWS were both $600+.

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Not exactly sure how your structure works but for us everyone pays the same. There's no 'subsidizing' others so to speak. But every time you hit a new level (3k gal, 5k gal,etc) your rate on the next increment increases. But your first 3k costs exactly the same as everyone else.

Last two months my bill was $40 and my statement had 0 gallons used.

Just checked the meter. It appears to have failed.

Guess I'll self report but part of me wants to see how long it takes them to figure it out.

Shortage of meters right now.

Mine is $34 every month.

Water should be free. Like air.

¡Viva #Fiesta! pic.twitter.com/DgX66O3T3r

— 𝐒𝐀𝐖𝐒 🪅🎉🪅 (@MySAWS) April 20, 2023

I wonder if Anne Hayden is wearing that outfit herself.

Noticed my bill was lower than January despite using more water. I guess that new rate structure will save money for those using under a certain amount.

LawHall88 said:

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¡Viva #Fiesta! pic.twitter.com/DgX66O3T3r

— 𝐒𝐀𝐖𝐒 🪅🎉🪅 (@MySAWS) April 20, 2023

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Just how would you word that on your resume?

When the last kid goes off to college and the yard gets some real rain….

If people living in or around the hill country and are watering their yard, they should not only be charged for usage, it should be penalized and charged at a premium. Tremendous waste of water that is completely unnecessary. It's not free to get that water. Bear in mind, there are still acreages available outside the city where you can move and drill your own well, and do what you want for nothing more than the cost of electricity.

BrazosDog02 said:

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If people living in or around the hill country and are watering their yard, they should not only be charged for usage, it should be penalized and charged at a premium. Tremendous waste of water that is completely unnecessary. It's not free to get that water. Bear in mind, there are still acreages available outside the city where you can move and drill your own well, and do what you want for nothing more than the cost of electricity.

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Believe me, they are. Now more than ever.