San Antonio, TX Water Use Rules: Leak Reporting Duty (2026)

City Code Chapter 34, Article IV (Drought Management, Water Conservation and Reuse) defines "waste" in Sec. " The same definition sweeps in letting landscape water run onto streets, sidewalks or storm drains, so a leaking spigot, broken sprinkler head or dripping hose bib that a customer does not fix can trigger a citation the same as ordinary overwatering. Large water users face a stricter, documented duty: Sec. 34-273(3) requires golf courses, athletic fields, homeowner and property owner associations, and other large-use properties to file an annual irrigation system evaluation with the SAWS Conservation Department by May 1 of each year, signed off by a TCEQ-licensed irrigator, confirming the system has no ongoing leaks and that any leaks found during the audit have been repaired.

Enforcement runs through the SAWS president/CEO or a designee, who may file complaints with the city municipal prosecutor, issue notices of violation, or pursue civil enforcement under Sec. 34-277. A property's water customer, owner, occupant or resident is the responsible party for a violation unless another person has accepted that role in writing. Anyone who believes a section works an undue hardship may request a variance from the SAWS Conservation Department within 30 days under Sec. 34-276, with a right to appeal a denial in writing within ten days. SAWS also runs a water conservation hotline under Sec. 34-291 so the public can report leaks and other violations.