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Residents of Rogers Ranch Think They Are Being Targeted by SAWS

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® TX License #0566780

Residents of Rogers Ranch Think They Are Being Targeted By SAWS


Some residents of Rogers Ranch, a north central San Antonio community, think the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) is targeting them as violating water restrictions that have been in place for several months now.sprinkler system

Several citizens in Rogers Ranch have received citations for violating the water restrictions. Some residents claim citations were issued in error. Sprinkler systems can only be used during specific hours and on the day for which an address is permitted to operate. The complainants point to citations issued for violations of days which they were allowed to water.

There have been other cases where SAWS cited residents with watering during times when watering with sprinkler systems were not authorized. A community newspaper, the San Antonio Local Lowdown, in an article by Ron Aaron Eisenberg, describes some of the efforts a Rogers Ranch resident went to to challenge the citation and fine:


"SAWS claims we were at 4a.m. one morning, which my husband and I know is not permitted', said Kathy Goei, "but I also know for a fact that was not the case. Our sprinkler was off."

To get out of hot water, the Goeis' opted for the legal route.

"We both took off work and went to the courthouse on two occassions to challenge the citation", she said, adding they brought with them an independent expert's analysis of their sprinkler system confirming it was working properly.



They paid $100 for the report, lost money by taking off from work, but avoided the fine. Others in Rogers Ranch have just paid the fine, even though they believed SAWS errored in issuing their citations.

I think most in the area appreciate the need for water conservation due to our drought. Hopefully residents in this community is not being unfairly cited. By the same token we should recognize enforcement activities of all sorts are not appreciated whoever is on the receiving end-parking meter violation, traffic ticket, building code violation, OSHA complaint.

Until otherwise notified, some residents of Rogers Ranch think they are being targeted by SAWS.

Comments (11)

Alan Kirkpatrick
Austin Texas Homes - Round Rock, TX
Alan in Austin

Wow! Hate to say it but I would be listing my home if were in that area. 

Jan 09, 2015 11:42 AM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

I feel their pain.

Years ago, we had moved into a new home in an area in the middle of a drought.  We had our sprinklers running one evenng when law enforcement came to the door.  "Ma'am, do you know we are in the middle of drought?"  "Of course, why do you think we are watering our lawn?"  The "duh" was unspoken.

Turns out, there were watering restrictions but because we had literally moved from out of state 2 days earlier, we had no clue.  LOL

Jan 09, 2015 12:36 PM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Sounds like its time to get some kind of video recording device Wayne. All the hassle and lost time, what a drag. I hope it works out for all.

Jan 09, 2015 01:07 PM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Wayne. If water is an issue in the area, then it is in everyone's best interest to follow the rules, as it would be a benefit for everyone.

Make it a great weekend!

Jan 09, 2015 06:21 PM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Alan Kirkpatrick I wouldn't move just because of this situation because they may not being targeted. A vigorous defense or successful challenges to the utility may be alll that's needed.

Susan Haughton your agent could have given you a heads up on the water restrictions.

Noah Seidenberg it's a pretty well-heeled area so the residents have the capability to challenge the citations if they want.

Joe Petrowsky many are not disputing the need to conserve or follow the rules. They think they are following the rules but the utility is charging them in error.

Jan 10, 2015 02:09 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Wayne it is unfortunate when you have to defend yourself, guilty until proved innocent...Endre

Jan 10, 2015 10:34 AM
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Hello Wayne,

Hopefully these are just errors in the reporting and not a way to raise some additional revenue for the coffers. (  )

Jan 10, 2015 12:22 PM
Potranco Realty
Potranco Realty - San Antonio, TX
"Sold with Potranco Realty"

Not good for the Goei's residents, I think many homeowners never look at their bills and just pay it says without noticing higher fees. Sad that SAWS is targeting their residents.

Jan 10, 2015 07:49 PM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Wayne,

This type of situation makes me crazy, when a city spends money to enforce common sense, and when those in charge of reporting don't do the job right.  The couple you sited who took it to court should have been compensated for their time and legal fees...sadly people count on those who don't notice or complain and pay the fine regardless.  A

Jan 11, 2015 04:54 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Wayne, they take water restrictions pretty seriously! 

Feb 22, 2015 11:08 PM
Ron Marshall
Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN
Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

I guess that SAWS is really taking these matters seriously, but perhaps their personnel aren't trained properly, Wayne

Feb 23, 2015 05:41 AM