SAWS Water Recycling Facts

In the 1930s, San Antonio’s Rilling Road plant was one of the first water recycling systems in the state of Texas. It was replaced by the state-of-the-art Steven M. Clouse facility in 1987.
In the 1950s and 60s, San Antonio and CPS Energy were pioneers in the large-scale use of recycled water for cooling electrical power plants. More than 6.5 billion gallons of recycled water are used each year.
Making greater use of recycled water will be one of the keys to making more water available for economic growth and development in San Antonio.
With a service area of almost 500 square miles, SAWS provides water recycling services to more than 1.2 million people in San Antonio and neighboring cities.
SAWS operates three major water recycling centers that produce a combined volume of tertiary treated recycled water of about 125,000 acre-feet per in a dry year.
There are over 4,700 miles of sewer lines in the collection system.
The combined wastewater treatment capacity of all SAWS’ facilities is 225.5 mgd.
Recycled water is discharged to outfalls on the San Antonio River, Salado Creek, Leon Creek, and Medio Creek. Transfers of recycled water are also made to SAWS’ recycled water distribution system.
In 2004, SAWS Steven M. Clouse facility received the industry’s top honor, the U.S. EPA’s Operations and Maintenance Excellence Award. Dos Rios has also been recognized by the Water Environment Association of Texas as Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year.