San Antonio is tackling the issue of overdue water bills with new proposals from city council members aimed at shielding tenants from the repercussions of their landlords' delinquency. Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez of District 2, together with District 7 Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito, is pushing for measures that would prevent the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) from cutting off water supply to apartment complexes over unpaid bills, as reported by KENS 5.
The issue reached a boiling point this summer after SAWS conducted disconnections, affecting hundreds of tenants who had dutifully paid their rent and utilities. In a statement obtained by KENS5, McKee-Rodriguez criticized the utility's approach, “Constituents were calling me saying, ‘Hey, I am on a ventilator and my water is going to be shutdown.’ Right now, SAWS is using this Machiavellian-type tactic of, ‘We are going to use you as pawns to collect debt and it’s good because we get paid.’ It’s not in line with the values of our city.” Gavito's office has been bombarded with calls from worried renters under the impression that these shutoffs were a council action.
In response, the council members have put forth a Council Consideration Request (CCR), aimed at curbing SAWS from disrupting the water service of entire apartment complexes and instead, holding the landlords accountable. Tactics include public shaming and financial penalties for landlords falling behind on their water bills. Gavito suggested “We are proposing that they charge an [annual] $100 flat fee for every single apartment unit that the landlord is in charge of,” according to KENS 5. The proposal has already garnered support from three additional council members.
The problem became evident when SAWS temporarily disconnected service to multiple apartments, provoking a swift and negative reaction from both tenants and the public. SAWS President and CEO Robert Puente described the disconnections as very successful in encouraging property managers to settle their debts. However, the council members' proposal seeks alternative solutions to recover payments without punishing the tenants, a sentiment underscored by Puente's admittance that the attention from the shutoffs spurred other delinquent landlords to contact SAWS about settling their accounts, as stated by The Express News.
The proposed changes to the city's Proactive Apartment Inspections Program would impose additional fines on negligent landlords and aim to amplify the accountability of property owners. Furthermore, the proposed regulations would mandate landlords to notify tenants in writing if their complex enters a SAWS payment plan due to overdue bills, with the details of delinquent properties posted on the city's website for public perusal. Now it rests with the city's Governance Committee to review the proposal within the next 60 days, guiding San Antonio's next steps in the fight for fair water practices.
