SAN ANTONIO – On December 19, 2019, the San Antonio River Authority (River Authority) closed the sale of the wastewater treatment plant off Highway 181 South. The City of Elmendorf purchased the facility to enter the wastewater business and in preparation for the growth they expect to draw from a new, 1,000-acre planned subdivision that is in development.
“This development is positioning our city to grow exponentially in the years to come. Securing this wastewater treatment facility and building our operational capabilities is part of how we’re preparing for the influx in our population,” said Cody Dailey, City Administrator.
The wastewater treatment plant opened in 2007 and was originally constructed to serve the Homewood subdivision north of the City. It currently serves approximately 102 residents and is permitted for 90,000 gallons per day. Throughout the process of the sale, the River Authority worked closely with the City of Elmendorf to share operational best practices and support their capacity building efforts.
The City of Elmendorf intends to use the plant to provide interim service to the new subdivision during the construction phase and to help them prepare to take on the operational utility needs that the growing city will have. They look forward to beginning the development of a new wastewater treatment facility in the future.
“The River Authority is committed to preserving and protecting the San Antonio River and one of the ways we have done that is to play a role in ensuring that wastewater is handled responsibly as the areas we serve around our region continue to experience dramatic growth,” said River Authority’s Utilities Manager Amy Middleton. “We are pleased to see the City of Elmendorf taking proactive measures to do the same in the midst of this impending boom in their population.”
The River Authority began providing wastewater utility services in 1966. Today, the River Authority has five permitted active wastewater treatment plants. These plants utilize the latest technology to produce a high-quality effluent and to preserve the ecosystems into which the effluent is returned, including at the recently opened Martinez IV Wastewater Treatment Plant in Eastern Bexar County, which has been recognized by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure and the American Council of Engineering Companies – Texas for its sustainable design and engineering.
