|
What Landscapers, Builders, and Suppliers Need to Know San Antonio Water System (SAWS) is preparing to actively inspect soil quality under newly installed turfgrass—a requirement that has been in the city code for nearly 20 years but has never been consistently enforced. This is the first time we’re aware of a Texas water utility inspecting soil quality on single-family homes, and it could influence how other cities handle water-conservation rules in the future. TNLA is tracking this closely to ensure members understand what’s coming and how it may impact your projects in San Antonio and beyond. Why SAWS Is Doing ThisSAWS’ goal is straightforward: improve soil beneath sod so landscapes use less water over time. Better soil means:
What the Ordinance RequiresSan Antonio’s existing soil rule states that new turfgrass must be installed over at least 4 inches of soil, which must include a minimum of 0.25 inches of Soil Organic Matter (SOM). SOM may come from enriched topsoil or contractor soil mixes that improve structure and water-holding capacity. In short: sod must be installed on quality soil that can hold water and support healthy growth. This isn’t a new rule—this is new enforcement. TNLA’s PositionIn November 2024, the TNLA Board formally adopted a position supporting a minimum 4-inch soil depth in areas with water-conservation concerns. The science is clear: Healthy soil is essential for responsible water use and long-term landscape success. TNLA supports soil standards that:
Why This Matters Beyond San Antonio Because SAWS is the first Texas water utility to launch this type of inspection on single-family homes, other municipalities may look to this strategy as a model. This could influence:
What’s NextTNLA will:
0 Comments
Filing is open now.
Candidate filing for the 2026 party primaries began Saturday, November 8, 2025, and runs through Monday, December 8, 2025. This cycle includes all 38 of Texas’ U.S. House seats, all 150 members of the Texas House, half of the Texas Senate, and U.S. Senator John Cornyn’s seat. It’s the official period when races become real—when incumbents lock in their re-election plans and new challengers step forward. What happens over these next few weeks will shape the policy environment Texas businesses will work in for years to come. Mark the big dates. Texas’ Primary Election Day is Tuesday, March 3, 2026, and the General Election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Between now and then, TNLA will continue monitoring candidate filings, tracking key open seats, and creating opportunities for members to engage in non-partisan education about how public policy affects our industry—from workforce access and water supply to business taxation and regulatory certainty. New congressional maps = new dynamics. This fall, state leaders approved redrawn U.S. House districts to be used for the 2026 midterms (pending litigation). The new map is widely viewed as creating additional Republican-leaning opportunities and reshaping several formerly competitive districts—meaning fresh openings and new pressure points for TNLA’s advocacy on workforce, water, and regulatory issues. Court challenges are ongoing, so details could still shift, but for now these are the lines under which candidates are filing. This means your business could now fall into an entirely new congressional district. ➡️ The Texas Tribune created a helpful lookup tool to compare your previous and current congressional districts: View it here. What that means for TNLA advocacy. Redistricting—combined with a wave of retirements—will produce many new faces in Texas’ congressional delegation. At this point, the list of Members of Congress not seeking re-election includes:
TNLA’s plan for 2026. As this election cycle unfolds, TNLA will:
TNLA’s Legislative & Regulatory team is here to keep you informed—and to make sure our elected officials understands how nurseries, garden centers, landscapers, and suppliers keep Texas growing. Questions or want to host a tour? Reach out at [email protected]—we’re Working for You. |
TNLA StaffInterpersonal stories all from TNLA Archives
December 2025
|
|
|
Copyright Texas Nursery & Landscape Association. All Rights Reserved
|
RSS Feed