AWWA REUSE52072

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.