Becoming the Best

At SAWS, we have taken on the challenge to become the best water and wastewater utlity by 2006. In many ways, we are well on the way to achieving the challenge. Many SAWS departments have proven themselves as best in class through award-wining performance and feedback from the community.

Working to Conserve Precious Resources

SAWS’ award-winning conservation programs have helped reduce San Antonio’s per capita water consumption to the lowest level in the western states. Current calculations are that in 2002 the per capita water consumption (the amount of water pumped per person per day) was 143 gallons. While this record-low consumption level was due in part to the unusually wet weather during the second half of 2002, San Antonio did not receive significant rainfall until the end of June. SAWS Conservation awareness efforts play an important role in encouraging San Antonians to keep water consumption low.

A major water conservation effort was initiated in September when SAWS signed an agreement with the Greater San Antonio Builders Association (GSABA) to phase in the use of water-saving landscaping features in new homes. SAWS is offering rebates to new homebuyers who choose this type of landscaping. And in three years GSABA will support an ordinance to make water-saving landscapes a requirement in new homes. Together, the two organizations are creating an awareness among both developers and consumers that new housing developments featuring water-saving landscapes can be just as green, lush, and attractive as those that use more water.

Progress on Developing New Water Resources

San Antonio’s population and water needs will increase dramatically over the next 50 years. Due to some innovative planning and regional partnering efforts, SAWS will be ready to meet the water supply challenges of this growing city.

In February, SAWS signed a contract with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) to explore the development of new water resources. The project, winner of the Texas Rainmaker Award from the Texas Water Foundation, is envisioned to supply up to 150,000 acre-feet of water per year. This will be a significant tool in meeting the future water needs of South Central Texas. Also in February, San Antonio began receiving water from the Trinity Aquifer system, which lies just to the north of the city. This is the first time SAWS has distributed drinking water other than from the Edwards Aquifer through its pipelines, and it was an important first step in diversifying our water resources. The initial phase of this project will provide about 4,600 acre feet of water per year.

In July, SAWS celebrated groundbreaking on the new Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Project in south Bexar County. This exciting new water storage resource for San Antonio uses relatively new technology to store excess Edwards Aquifer water during rainy times for use during dry South Texas summers. SAWS’ ASR Project will be the second-largest project of its kind in the nation. SAWS’ Board authorized $110 million for construction of the ASR well field, water treatment plant, high-service pump stations, and pipelines for phase one of this project. Moving on a fast track, the ASR project is scheduled to be activated December, 2003.

SAWS Board approved the initial water lease agreements covering 4,600 surface acres in Gonzales County for the Carrizo Aquifer Project. Initial permits from the Gonzalez County Groundwater conservation District have also been obtained. Approved in regional and state water plans, this groundwater project will deliver between 20,000-30,000 acre-feet/year of non- Edwards water to Bexar County in 2007.

Strides were made last year to confirm feasibility of the Lower Guadalupe Water Supply Project (LGWSP) — a project which would use historically underutilized water rights at the base of the Guadalupe for pumping back up to the San Antonio area. The Boards of SAWS, San Antonio River Authority (SARA) and Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) approved funds for studying whether the removal of this water would impact the ecology and wildlife in downstream bays and estuaries. The LGWSP would be a 94,500 acre-feet/year project that would supplement water from the Guadalupe River with groundwater. This project is planned to deliver water to Bexar County and other communities in the region by 2011.