Water Use Rules in San Antonio, TX (2026)
3 verified water use rules for San Antonio, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Turf Replacement Rebates
SAWS WaterSaver Landscape Coupon, administered by the Conservation Department, pays residential customers for replacing high-water turf with drought-tolerant landscape, supporting drought-stage compliance and the Edwards Aquifer Management Plan.
SAWS WaterSaver Coupon Pays Cash for Turf Replacement
Few RestrictionsTex. Property Code § 202.007
(a) A property owners' association may not include or enforce a provision in a dedicatory instrument that prohibits or restricts a property owner from:(1) implementing measures promoting solid-waste composting of vegetation, including grass clippings, leaves, or brush, or leaving grass clippings uncollected on grass;(2) installing rain barrels or a rainwater harvesting system;(3) implementing e...
Recycled Water Rules
SAWS' recycled water program, set out in San Antonio Code Secs. 34-1141 through 34-1145, limits recycled water to commercial, industrial, irrigation, and streamflow uses under a written contract. Drinking, food preparation, and domestic use are banned, and reselling recycled water for an unauthorized purpose is unlawful citywide.
San Antonio Recycled Water Use Rules
Some RestrictionsSan Antonio Code of Ordinances Secs. 34-1143, 34-1144
Recycled water shall be used exclusively for commercial, industrial, irrigation, landscape maintenance, streamflow enhancement and other specific uses described in the recycled water contract between SAWS and a customer. Recycled water use shall be in compliance, where applicable, with 30 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 210, et seq...Recycled water shall not be used for drinking, food prepar...
Leak Reporting Duty
San Antonio's drought and water conservation ordinance classifies failing to repair a controllable leak as unlawful "waste" of water. SAWS enforces the rule citywide and in its ETJ, with Class C misdemeanor fines that escalate for repeat violations and possible water service discontinuation for chronic offenders.
San Antonio Water Waste Ordinance: Fix Leaks or Face Fines
Some RestrictionsSan Antonio Code of Ordinances Sec. 34-271
Waste means water used without obtaining maximum beneficial use thereof. "Waste" shall also include, but not be limited to, causing, suffering, or permitting a flow of water used for landscape watering to run into any river, creek or other natural water course or drain... "Waste" shall also include, but not be limited to, failure to repair any controllable leak on property located within the Sa...
Looking for Bexar County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Antonio city rules.
Water Use Rules in Bexar County →