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Regional Carrizo Project

LCRA-SAWS Water Project

he Regional Carrizo Water Supply Program is a long-term water supply project that involves bringing groundwater from Gonzales and Wilson counties to the Bexar County area via a 50-mile pipeline. Recent studies show the Carrizo Aquifer as a viable water source to secure our future water supply needs.

Project Profile

The Regional Carrizo Project, located in Gonzales and Wilson counties about 50 miles from San Antonio, includes three phases:

1. Delivery of water from western Gonzales County (22,600 acre-feet* per year)
2. Delivery of water from eastern Wilson County (11,000 AF/yr.) in 2013; and
3. Delivery of water from northeastern Gonzales County (22,600 AF/yr) in 2019.

Water produced from these well fields would be transported by pipeline at a rate of 50.2 million gallons per day (mgd) to the existing Twin Oaks ASR water treatment plant located in south Bexar County, and pumped into the SAWS distribution system.

Delivery of water to local distribution points will be accomplished primarily via an existing 60-inch main skirting the eastern edge of San Antonio. Various permits, which are in the approval process, will be necessary for this project to proceed.

Phase I

• Phase I of the project involves development of the Carrizo Aquifer in western Gonzales County.
• SAWS has acquired leases for approximately 17,990 AF/yr in western Gonzales County, northeast of Nixon.
• Leasing effort continues with the goal of acquiring 22,600 AF/yr of water rights.
• Design of the infrastructure to transport water to San Antonio is nearly complete.
• Construction is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2010.

Phase II

• Phase II involves development of the Carrizo Aquifer in Wilson County.
• SAWS plans to acquire leases to provide approximately 11,000 AF/yr.
• Expect this phase to be on line by 2013.
• Work has not yet begun on this phase.

Phase III

• Phase III of the project involves development of the Carrizo Aquifer in northeast Gonzales County near Waelder.
• Potential to provide approximately 22,600 AF/yr.
• Expect this phase to be on line by 2019.
• Work has not yet begun on this phase.

Project Benefits

The Regional Carrizo Project will assist in diversifying San Antonio’s water supply, reducing reliance on existing Edwards aquifer supplies. The project will provide water to meet San Antonio’s short-term water needs beginning in 2010. It also has the potential to provide pipeline easements for other water supply projects.

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