SAN ANTONIO – The prolonged drought and triple-digit heat, along with customers who are ignoring watering rules has proven challenging for SAWS’ infrastructure.
While SAWS water supplies (which include a large amount of non-Edwards water) are doing well, the high demand for outdoor watering is driving record pumping and causing more main breaks. As of today, SAWS has 754 breaks and leaks for August, surpassing the previous 729 for all of July. August is expected to peak at approximately 965.
SAWS has 52 crews working around the clock responding to main breaks as quickly as possible while still working to keep the crews safe in this extreme heat. Precautions include alternating between two crews to provide each 30-minute breaks to rehydrate when temps are above 100 degrees and mandatory 15-minute breaks every hour when temps are below triple digits.
Repairing all leaks is a priority but given the extremely high numbers prioritizing leaks is necessary. Leaks are repaired based on priority numbering: “1” for emergencies, “2” for urgent, and “3” for routine. Customers can see a graphic explanation of the leak priorities, as well as the site for reported leaks on our leak and outage map.
“This summer, when every day seems to bring a new record for dropping aquifer levels and high temperatures, SAWS is working to make sure our city of more than 2 million people has necessary water,” said Carlos Mendoza, SAWS Vice President of Distribution and Collections. “We need the cooperation of our customers to reduce outdoor watering, so the stress of ongoing drought on our infrastructure is reduced.”
Certain SAWS tanks show levels dropping overnight beyond normal Stage 2 demand levels. To keep compliance top of mind, increased patrols and ticket citation efforts are taking place in these areas. Customers who do not comply with the watering rules will receive a citation with Municipal Court fines costing up to $150 for first-time offenses. Nearly 6,000 water waste citations have been issued this year, and neighborhood patrolling will continue, including inside gated communities.
Although SAWS can meet the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) Drought Stage cutbacks through conservation and a diverse water supply portfolio — including 14 water projects from eight different sources — it is imperative that customers comply with Stage 2 watering rules to reduce demand and help make up for reduced Edwards water availability.
During Stage 2, watering with a sprinkler, irrigation system or soaker hose is allowed only between 7-11 a.m. and 7-11 p.m. on your designated day which is determined by the last digit of your address. 0 or 1 – Monday 2 or 3 – Tuesday 4 or 5 – Wednesday 6 or 7 – Thursday 8 or 9 – Friday
