SAWS and Abengoa Officials Launching New Water Project
Officials commemorate new project by signing pipe
SAN ANTONIO, Dec. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- SAWS and Abengoa officials signed a 54-inch diameter pipe today to celebrate the launch of the new Vista Ridge water project, which will be a game changer for water supplies in San Antonio.
The pipe represents the width of the actual pipe used in the first part of the 142-mile pipeline running from Burleson County to San Antonio. The Vista Ridge project will convey 16.3 billion gallons of new non-Edwards Aquifer water annually to San Antonio.
This marks the beginning of the first phase of the project, which will primarily involve arranging financing for the project and design work for the pipeline.
The contract, between San Antonio Water System and the Vista Ridge Consortium, was approved in September by SAWS Board and October by San Antonio City Council.
The Vista Ridge Consortium is a partnership between Abengoa and BlueWater Systems, which has assembled 3,400 leases for water rights with local landowners in Burleson and Milam counties. Under the terms of the contract, San Antonio will not pay for any water that is not made available for delivery.
"With this agreement we are moving from a city perceived to lack water supplies to a city that will ensure economic prosperity for our children and grandchildren," said Berto Guerra, SAWS chairman. "And we will be able to do this while fulfilling our commitment to protect the Edwards Aquifer, even in times of drought."
SAWS set new benchmarks for transparency with a series of posted negotiation meetings that were open to the public and attended by the news media, elected officials, environmental groups and the general public. Contract terms have been a matter of public record since late July. SAWS provided public information on 188 different occasions, including community presentations, meetings and tours.
"SAWS is meeting its commitment to provide sustainable, affordable water services for San Antonio," added Robert R. Puente, SAWS president/CEO. "We look forward to the promise of 2020 and the water that will arrive here."
Since 1992, San Antonio Water System has been a leader in innovative water management strategies, making San Antonio water's most resourceful city. Water and wastewater services are provided to more than 1.6 million consumers in the San Antonio region.
Contact: Anne Hayden
Office: 210-233-3622
Cell: 210-823-0194
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141203/162239
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/saws-and-abengoa-officials-launching-new-water-project-300004486.html
SOURCE San Antonio Water System
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