San Antonio, Texas, is an urbanized area occupying approximately 75% of Bexar
County within south Texas. The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) has one of the
largest water recycling systems under development in the country. SAWS Water
Recycling Centers produce between 116 to 120 million gallons per day (mgd) of
tertiary treated recycled water. This volume equates to approximately
130,000-acre feet of recycled water per year. Within the recycled water balance,
SAWS delivers approximately 40,000-acre feet per year of recycled water to the
City (San Antonio) Public Service for use in their cooling lakes as part of
electric power generation. The last component of the water balance leaves
35,000-acre feet per year for SAWS Water Recycling Program. This program will
provide non-potable water for irrigation, cooling towers, commercial and
industrial customers. Thirty-five thousand acre feet per year will reduce SAWS'
overall water demand by 20% from the Edwards Aquifer, the region's sole source
groundwater supply. The water recycling program is a short-term solution within a
long-term water strategy, which anticipates sustaining and promoting economic
development within a region confronting dynamic water resource issues. This paper
describes SAWS' recycled water program including system design, market
incentives, public participation and planning. Includes 12 references.