Expansion, upgrades take shape at Clouse Water Recycling Center
At first glance it may just look like a huge hole in the ground. But this massive construction site on the far South Side signals the renewal of a vital service we all use every day.
Ever wonder where the dirty water goes after you flush? For about 1.5 million San Antonians, the answer is the Steven M. Clouse Water Recycling Center.
The plant takes in about 125 million gallons a day, cleaning up your shower, laundry and even toilet water to near-drinking-quality to be reused or released into the environment.
Sadly, parts of this 1980s-era plant are nearing the end of their expected life. The good news: SAWS is updating and expanding the facility to serve our city for decades to come.
That giant, 100,000 square foot hole? It will be home to three brand new aeration basins and settling tanks.
When completed in 2028, these structures will allow SAWS to treat even more wastewater while meeting future environmental rules. The new parts will work alongside existing infrastructure, creating a larger, more efficient treatment system.
Six new high-capacity blowers are also being installed to support both the current and future facilities. These gigantic fans push massive amounts of oxygen into the aeration basins to feed the microscopic “bugs” that break down organic waste.
The new blowers will replace outdated equipment to help keep operations running smoothly. Construction continues to make steady progress, with half of the new blowers expected to be installed by the end of 2026. Want to see the process for yourself? Keep an eye
out for our Rain-to-Drain tours, where you can experience it all firsthand.
Learn more at saws.org/tour.