SAWS Desal Project Lands $50 Million Low-interest Loan
(10/18/12)
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| Drilling pipe stands ready for use during construction of a SAWS groundwater desal well in southern Bexar County. |
San Antonio Water System announced today that it has been awarded a $50 million loan from the Texas Water Development Board. The low-interest financing will be used to build the region's first-ever groundwater desalination plant in southern Bexar County.
Water will begin flowing from the $229 million reverse osmosis plant in 2016. The facility will reach its full production capacity of 28,000 acre-feet per year by 2026. Unlike San Antonio's Edwards Aquifer supply, the salty water in the Wilcox Aquifer is not subject to pumping restrictions during drought.
The $50 million loan is the third round of low-interest financing to be used for this water supply project. Previous TWDB loans totaling $59 million went toward planning and design, and for drilling wells.
The groundwater desal project is part of San Antonio's 50-year water management plan, a roadmap for securing the Alamo City's water future via new supplies and responsible water management. You can download the proposed 2012 plan update here.
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