[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 87 (Friday, June 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SAN ANTONIO WATER SYSTEM RECYCLING PROJECT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 18, 1999

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to introduce 
legislation to promote water conservation and recycling in San Antonio, 
Texas. This legislation enjoys the bi-partisan support of the other 
members of the San Antonio congressional delegation who join as 
original co-sponsors.
  Like many places across the Nation, San Antonio and the entire 
central Texas region faces the challenge of providing adequate supplies 
of water for human consumption, agriculture, industry, and recreation. 
Unlike other areas, San Antonio depends on a sole source for its 
drinking water--the Edwards Aquifer.
  This legislation would authorize the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) 
Water Recycling Project Phase III. SAWS has embarked on an ambitious 
project to recycle water that can then be used for a host of industrial 
and non-potable uses. Upon completion of the project, SAWS expects to 
save 35,000 acre feet of water, roughly equivalent to 31.2 million 
gallons per day. As a result, more than 11 billion gallons a year of 
aquifer water will be available for potable use. This saving will free 
up an amount equal to approximately twenty percent of the City of San 
Antonio's current withdrawals from the Edwards Aquifer.
  The SAWS recycling project meets federal goals for Bureau of 
Reclamation water projects under Title XVI of the Reclamation 
Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act of 1992, as amended 
(PL 102-575). Specifically, the San Antonio Recycled Water Project 
will: reduce demand on and use of the Edwards Aquifer water supply and 
will help protect federally-protected endangered species dependent on 
spring flows originating in the Edwards Aquifer; reduce and postpone 
San Antonio's need to develop new water resources; foster a region-wide 
perspective in addressing usage issues across the Edwards Aquifer area, 
as well as the San Antonio and Guadalupe Rivers watersheds; and provide 
economic benefits to a community with significantly economically 
disadvantaged sectors. Phase III is expected to cost approximately $20 
million, and the federal share would be $5 million.
  The FY 1998 Energy and Water Appropriation Bill contained a $200,000 
``earmark'' for the Bureau to conduct a review of San Antonio's 
environmental assessment and feasibility study of the reuse program. 
Staff of the Bureau of Reclamation are currently working in 
coordination with staff of the San Antonio Water System to perform this 
review. The SAWS project authorization was included in S. 901 in the 
104th Congress, a bill reported favorably by the Senate Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources. Unfortunately, that version of the bill 
did not become law.
  We face a continuing challenge to use our natural resources more 
efficiently so that we can meet our communal obligation to provide high 
quality drinking water to all of our neighborhoods and to maintain a 
supply of water for economic growth and expansion. In San Antonio, our 
five military installations will benefit from the recycling project, 
reducing their need to rely on Edwards Aquifer water. Other large water 
consumers will also switch to recycled water for non-potable uses, 
helping us better manage our water supply. SAWS has stepped up to the 
plate to find long-term solutions, and this recycling project is part 
of that plan. I am honored to join with my colleagues from San Antonio, 
Congressman Lamar Smith, Congressman Henry Bonilla, and Congressman 
Charles Gonzalez, as original co-sponsors of this legislation.

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