Environmentally Responsible, Cost Effective and
Positions
SAWS in National Spotlight
 n 1996 the SAWS Board committed to a Water Recycling plan to build the nation's largest recycled water delivery system. Ten years have proved out the wisdom in making full use of an asset that was once considered a liability. The recycled water produced by SAWS Water Recycling Centers holds an important role now and in the city’s future.
Today, almost 80-miles of pipeline delivers highly treated recycled water to golf courses, parks, commercial and industrial customers throughout the city. The system can provide up to 35,000 acre-feet* per year, or about 29 million gallons per day, thereby conserving large amounts of Edwards water for potable use.
The system was also designed to supplement base flows in the upper San Antonio River and Salado Creek. Seven thousand acre-feet per year is used to ensure flow during low flow periods or in the event of a drought. The result has been significant and lasting environmental improvements for the aquatic ecosystems in these streams.
Why Recycled Water?
During the mid 1990’s the San Antonio region realized that the Edwards Aquifer had reached a point where demands for pumping and spring flow could not be met from historical recharge. SAWS identified the recycled water program as a short-term project that could potentially replace 20% (35,000 acre-feet per year) of the then current SAWS pumping from the Edwards Aquifer. It was determined that the recycled water system:
- Could be implemented quickly
- Is cost-effective as compared to developing new water resources
- Environmentally responsible
- Demonstrates San Antonio’s commitment of preserving our existing resources
In 2001, SAWS completed the first phase of its system to recycle treated wastewater effluent for irrigation and industrial uses.
What are the Benefits to Recycled Water?
- Reduces demand on the Edwards Aquifer.
- Effective treatment and reuse of wastewater – protects public health, the natural environment and the wildlife that depends on it.
- The water recycling process produces useful byproducts—biosolids can be used in soil conditioning or compost production, and gases can be captured and used to produce heat and power.
More Water Recycling Project Facts
- The recycled water system currently has two major pipelines established (Leon Creek—Western segment and Salado Creek—Eastern segment).
- Over 40 recycled water customers have been contracted.
- A total of 17,188 acre-feet per year have been contracted.
- Remaining capacity in the system is approximately 12,829 AF.
- Line capacity on the Salado Creek segment has been reached.
- CPS Energy is contracted to use up to 45,000 acre-feet per year at their power plants.
* An acre-foot of water is equivalent to 325,851 gallons
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