One of the State’s Largest Water Projects Moves Forward
 an Antonio Water System has partnered with the Lower Colorado River Authority to conserve and develop water for San Antonio and the lower Colorado River basin in the 21st century. The two neighboring regions have developed a potential water management plan to provide ample and reliable water for the long term while protecting the environment.
This project, developed in cooperation with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), will benefit both the LCRA basin and San Antonio. The project is a plan to conserve water, develop groundwater and capture excess and unused river flows to meet the future water needs of two neighboring basins in Texas. The LCRA-SAWS Water Supply Project provides for delivery of up to 150,000 acre-feet* of water to San Antonio from the Lower Colorado River Basin. Strict guidelines for its development were passed by the Texas Legislature.
This is the largest water supply project in the SAWS portfolio and is among the largest in the state water plan. The SAWS portion of the project supply will provide the San Antonio area with up to 134 million gallons per day of water. This will also be the largest surface water addition to the SAWS distribution system. Agricultural and other rural water needs would be met in the Colorado River Basin through agricultural conservation, storage of surface water and limited, supplemental groundwater.
Up to 150,000 acre-feet per year would be delivered to San Antonio via a water transmission pipeline. Texas House Bill 1629 specifically mandates that any groundwater produced for the project would remain in the Colorado River Basin, prohibiting transfer of this water to San Antonio.
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This diagram shows the major components of the
LCRA-SAWS Water Project.
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LCRA and SAWS are currently conducting studies to determine the feasibility of the project.
Current Status
Currently, the project is in the fourth year of a six-year study that will determine whether it benefits both regions without harming the Colorado River or Matagorda Bay. Ongoing research includes:
- Matagorda Bay health studies
- Surface water availability
- Water quality studies
- Aquatic habitat and Blue Sucker (state threatened species)
- Groundwater for agriculture
- Agricultural conservation and rice varieties, and
- Socio-economic impacts.
The studies are generally on time and are staying within cost projections. Based on comments and suggestions from the public involvement process and the Science Review Panel, some additional work is proposed for the study period. Current status of the studies can be found on the LCRA-SAWS Water Project Web page on the LCRA Web site. Many study activities to be completed during 2007 and early 2008 will provide support needed for submittal of federal and state permit applications. Submittal of permit applications may occur in 2008 or 2009.
Periodic Advisory Group meetings are held to provide an update on the project. SAWS has also recently kicked off a concept study for the water transmission pipeline which will deliver the water from the LCRA service area to San Antonio. The study will take a preliminary look at alternative routes for the pipeline and its supporting facilities, and how to integrate the new water into the SAWS distribution system.
SAWS is responsible for designing and building the transmission pipeline that will deliver raw water from a location on the western boundary of the LCRA service area to a terminal storage and treatment location in or near Bexar County. The pipeline distance from off-channel storage to terminal storage would be up to 160 miles, depending on the location of the terminal storage. Water from the terminal storage facility will be treated to be compatible with other water in the SAWS distribution system and distributed to customers.
In late 2005, SAWS contracted the services of URS Corporation to perform conceptual studies for the transmission pipeline, terminal storage, treatment plant and to assist with preparation studies needed to obtain necessary federal and state permits.
The pipeline concept study was essentially complete by the end of 2006. While the specific proposed pipeline location has not yet been determined, members of the project facilities team are working to determine viable connection points for the various pipeline segments. Once all studies are substantially complete, SAWS will apply for the necessary water rights and interbasin transfer permits with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
If the LCRA and SAWS studies conclude that the project is viable, effective and cost efficient, the SAWS Board of Trustees will make a decision on whether to proceed with construction of the project after 2010.
The 2006 Project Viability Assessment is now available by clicking here.
* An acre-foot of water is equivalent to 325,851 gallons.
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