SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio City Council approved a SAWS rate adjustment this week that will raise average residential water bills by less than $4 a month, starting Jan. 1, 2027.

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SAWS said the ratings are the highest in the utility’s history for a second consecutive year. The ratings can help the utility secure lower interest rates when borrowing money for capital projects, including replacing aging water transmission and distribution lines.

SAWS Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Cecilia Velasquez said the ratings benefit customers through lower interest rates and help fund capital improvement projects.

These strong bond ratings are a confirmation of all the hard work we’ve done,” said Velasquez. “Not only are they a huge financial benefit to our customers through lower interest rates, but they allow us to fund our capital improvements projects and continue to operate efficiently.

SAWS plans to use its Water Forward program to replace thousands of miles of water and sewer mains that have reached the end of their expected lifespan.