Local Brief
SAWS says recycled water gives San Antonio an edge for data centers
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
San Antonio Water System (SAWS) is investing in a diverse water portfolio to help the city survive future droughts while supporting growth from industries like data centers.
Why it matters: As San Antonio grows and drought conditions persist, SAWS is investing in alternative water supplies that can support residents and water-intensive industries without placing as much additional strain on the Edwards Aquifer.
Zoom in: SAWS draws on multiple water sources, including the Edwards Aquifer, aquifer storage and recovery (ASR), recycled water, brackish groundwater desalination and imported supplies like the 142-mile Vista Ridge pipeline.
- "We look at the worst of the drought conditions ... to make sure that even in the worst of times we have enough water to meet San Antonio's growth," Donovan Burton, SAWS senior vice president of water resources and governmental relations, tells Axios.
How it works: The Edwards Aquifer remains the backbone of San Antonio's water supply.
💧 ASR: During wet periods, SAWS stores excess Edwards water in the Carrizo Aquifer and pumps it back out during drought.
🔃 Recycled water: Highly treated wastewater flows through a 130-mile purple-pipe network serving customers like Toyota and USAA, as well as irrigation and the River Walk, reducing demand on drinking water supplies.
🧂 Brackish groundwater desalination: At the H2Oaks Center, SAWS uses reverse osmosis to turn salty groundwater into drinking water, producing about 10 million gallons daily.
🚰 Imported supplies: Long-term contracts bring additional water from outside the region, including Vista Ridge in Burleson County.
What we're watching: The recycled water network could give San Antonio an edge as data centers expand across Texas.
- "San Antonio is better adapted to handle data center growth because of our recycled water system," Burton says.