The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) has stirred the waters of public opinion by recently disconnecting the water supply to four apartment complexes over unpaid bills totaling tens of thousands of dollars. On June 18, tenants experienced water shutoffs at properties that include Roselawn Apartments, Westwood Plaza Apartments, and Serenity Residences, as well as an eightplex, affecting hundreds of units. SAWS claims the move was necessary to address the issue of delinquent landlords and to uphold fairness among all customers.
Despite the critical need for water, SAWS' Communications Director Anne Hayden clarified in a statement obtained by KENS 5, "We know there are tenants that are dependent on it, but unfortunately, we had to take a stand." Landlords owed substantial amounts, with two major owners each over $100,000 in arrears, per SAWS. In response to accusations that tenants were blindsided, SAWS notified residents and owners in advance and provided multiple notices. The utility also communicated with local city and county representatives, noting their efforts to make accommodations for the landlords involved.
San Antonio City Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito openly criticized the utility's approach. According to KENS 5, Gavito said, "Residents should not be punished for the landlord’s lack of response and their neglect of duty to care for their tenants." She suggested an alternative approach that would directly impact landlords and not the dependent residents. SAWS, however, argues that prolonged leniency toward these delinquent accounts would be unjust to customers who do timely fulfill their obligations.
While the water was restored the same day for three of the complexes, after the owners settled their debts, the property on Magnolia Avenue remained disconnected. With only one of its eight units occupied and the rest boarded up, the situation highlighted an ongoing dilemma between property owner responsibility and tenant rights. Robert Puente, CEO and President of SAWS, speaking with Express-News, defended the decision stating it was "very successful" in prompting immediate payments and suggested future shutoffs were possible if landlords continue to default.
SAWS maintains that the strategy was not taken lightly, with the utility extending opportunities to landlords to catch up on payments, a leniency initiated during COVID-19 times. This effort to balance compassion with fiscal responsibility emphasized a systemic issue where tenants, often oblivious to the financial management of their buildings, suffer due to landlords' negligence. SAWS confirms that three of the affected complexes have since entered into payment plans, and while there are no immediate plans for further disconnections, the utility's course of action remains dependent on property owners' cooperation and forthcoming payments.
