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Edwards Aquifer

Aquifer Storage & Recovery

Recycled Water

Trinity Aquifer

Western Canyon

Recharge Initiative

Brackish Groundwater Desalination

Regional Carrizo Project

Ocean Desalination

Partnership Opportunities

ntroduced in 2002 as a new source for San Antonio's water supply, the Trinity Aquifer was the first non-Edwards Aquifer drinking water through SAWS pipelines. Although relatively small, two projects – Oliver Ranch and Bulverde Sneckner Ranch – stemming from the Trinity program, play a major role in providing additional sources to enhance the region's water supply.

Oliver Ranch Project

The Oliver Ranch project is located in North-Central Bexar County where it provides Trinity Aquifer water to SAWS service areas. Water from this project was the first non-Edwards water to enter the SAWS distribution system. Under an initial 10-year contract, delivery of water to the SAWS system began in February 2002. A new 15-year contract was signed, effective July 1, 2010, with the option to extend for an additional 10 years. Currently, water is produced and chlorinated on the Oliver Ranch site, and pumped to the SAWS Indian Springs Storage tank.

BSR Project

The Bulverde Sneckner Ranch (BSR) project, also in North Bexar County, is adjacent to the Oliver Ranch project. A total of four wells were completed on the property by SAWS. Like the Oliver Ranch project, water is chlorinated at the Oliver Ranch facility site. Delivery of water to the SAWS system began in June 2003. The contract has an initial term of five years with three 5-year renewal options. Hydrologic modeling was conducted for this property in conjunction with the Oliver Ranch property.

This map shows the area that began receiving water from the Trinity Aquifer in February 2002.

Click on map for larger image.

What are the Benefits to the Trinity Aquifer Project?

These projects augment water supply to one of the city’s highest growth areas. During normal rainfall conditions, production from Oliver Ranch and BSR is approximately 3,000 acre-feet/year* and 500 acre-feet/year, respectively.

More Trinity Aquifer Project Facts

• SAWS originally signed contracts in February 2000 with the Massah Development Corporation and the BSR Water Supply Company to purchase water from public supply wells completed in the Trinity Aquifer system.
• SAWS and Massah Corporation signed a new contract in July 2010, under which SAWS will purchase water from public supply wells completed in the Trinity Aquifer system. This agreement will remain in force for 15 years with option to extend another 10 years.
• The source of the water comes from the Trinity Aquifer.
• Water is pumped directly to the 3 million gallon Oliver Ranch Water Storage Tank, near Bulverde Road and U.S. 281 North, is then transferred to the Indian Springs Water Storage Tank near Bulverde and Smithson Valley roads or the Winchester Water Storage Tank near U.S. 281 North and Marshall Road. Water is provided to the SAWS system from any of these locations.
• At start up, about 750 households and businesses in an area north of Loop 1604 and east of U.S. 281 (see map) began receiving Trinity Aquifer water.
• The capital cost of projects was about $12 million.

* An acre-foot of water is equivalent to 325,851 gallons