Wastewater Treatment Plants
The San Antonio River Authority (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
The costs of the wastewater treatment plants and service system, operations and maintenance, facilities expansions, and system administration are funded by connection fees, interest income on utilities funds, and uniform user rate charges.
This is an example of a lift station impacted by grease poured down sinks and wipes flushed down the toilet. While we're at home, let's be sure to dispose of grease & wipes in the trash!
Tips for Keeping Your Pipes Clean
Trash the Wipes - Proper disposal of wipes keeps our wastewater systems working smoothly, protects the infrastructure and keeps our creeks and rivers free of contaminants.
Place the following in the trash after use:
| Baby wipes | Flushable wipes | Cloth towels | Paper towels |
| Disinfecting wipes | Rags | Disposable wipes | Towelettes |
| Facial tissues | Wet wipes | Feminine hygiene products | Make-up wipes |
Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG) - Pouring and washing fats, oils and grease down the drain causes grease build-up in the pipes leading to major damage and restricts the flow of wastewater from homes, businesses and along wastewater lines resulting in increased costs to residents and business owners and contamination to area creeks and rivers.
Follow these easy steps to keep sewers FOG-free:
1. Pour oil and grease into a container, freeze it, trash it.
2. Before washing dishes, scrape food particles and batters into the trash.
3. Never flush disposable diapers, baby wipes, rags or disinfectant wipes down the toilet.
Heavy foods that should not go down the drain:
| Animal fats | Lard | Butter | Margarine |
| Dairy products | Oils | Desserts | Sauces |
| Dressings | Shortening | Food scraps | Soups |
