SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) has filed its first-ever lien against an apartment complex for unpaid utility bills — a move the agency hopes will push landlords to take responsibility without cutting off service to residents.

The lien was placed on The Oaks on Bandera, a property owned by Eddleton Family Investment LLC, after the complex accumulated more than $93,000 in past-due water and sewage bills.

Edward Guzman, SAWS Chief Legal and Ethics Officer, said the city council approved an ordinance in May allowing the utility to file liens on properties with delinquent accounts. Under Texas law, such action is only permitted if authorized by the governing body — in this case, the San Antonio City Council.

“We had multiple meetings with the municipal utility committee an

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