BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) approved the permit for a controversial wastewater facility in northwest Bexar County, as part of a development project known as Guajolote Ranch.
The TCEQ office of commissioners came to a conclusion on Wednesday morning that the permit “meets all applicable requirements.”
“In my evaluation, I find that the evidence and records support the ALJ’s determination that the applicant met its burden to establish that the draft permit is protective and meets all applicable requirements,” TCEQ Chairwoman Brooke T. Paup said.
For months, opponents fought against the permit because the wastewater treatment facility will be built directly over the Helotes Creek watershed, which supplies San Antonio with its drinking water.
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Guajolote Ranch is a proposed development that would create approximately 3,000 homes on 1,100 acres, located north of Grey Forest. Lennar Homes, a Florida-based developer, is the company behind the project.
What’s next:
- An appeal against the TCEQ, which will take another 3-4 months.
- The Scenic Loop-Helotes Creek Alliance plans to fight this legally through a civil lawsuit against Lennar.
- Randy Neumann, a resident and member of the Scenic Loop-Helotes Creek Alliance: “We are going to pursue this in a three-pronged approach. We are going to pursue this legally. We are going to pursue the TCEQ through the legislature for rule changes and sunsetting and we are going to pursue conservancy.”
Opponents’ most significant concern was the requirement for the wastewater treatment plant, which is necessary to accompany the project. The plant will process, clean, and treat sewage, then discharge it into Helotes Creek.
The creek feeds into the Trinity and Edwards aquifers, which are part of the drinking water supply for nearly 2.5 million people across South Central Texas and parts of the Hill Country.
The Edwards Aquifer makes up 15% of San Antonio’s water supply.
A study paid for by the City of San Antonio in 2020 found that adding a wastewater treatment system in this location would “significantly degrade the watershed and the quality of water recharging the Edwards aquifer.”
Researchers who have spoken to KSAT said that not only does the treatment process have to be absolutely perfect every time to produce drinking water free of bacteria and waste, but the treated water also doesn’t always eliminate forever chemicals in wastewater, which can cause health issues such as cancer.
>> San Antonio’s drinking water at risk if Guajolote Ranch development is built, expert says
KSAT has reached out to Lennar multiple times, but has only received a response from them once regarding this issue. Lennar said they have plans in place to prevent pollution of the Edwards Aquifer and San Antonio’s drinking water.
Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai released the following statement:
“The state commission charged with protecting our environment just granted a permit allowing the discharge of up to 1 million gallons of treated wastewater per day in Helotes Creek.
“That decision fails to protect the fragile Edwards Aquifer. That decision fails to protect the water quality and health of local neighbors and families. And that decision ignores the unanimous voices of San Antonio leaders and community health experts.
“I oppose the state’s action and will work shoulder to shoulder with local residents to protect our aquifer and the health and safety of our families.
“Today was a setback, but this fight is not over.”
Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones released a statement on the ruling that can be read in its entirety below:
“I’ve asked Lennar Homes to provide their proposed path forward on Guajolote Ranch so we may better understand the potential risks associated with the proposed development. I’m committed to working with SAWS and Lennar to ensure the development does not endanger our drinking water.”
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones
Scenic Loop-Helotes Creek Alliance responds to permit approval
In a news release following the approval of the permit for the wastewater facility, the Scenic Loop-Helotes Creek Alliance stated that TCEQ rejected science.
“We are, of course, extremely disappointed in the commissioners’ decision, as we’d hoped that under new leadership they would chart a new course that truly abides by their own stated mission to protect our state’s public health and natural resources consistent with sustainable economic development,” said Neumann, who is also chair of the steering committee of the Scenic Loop-Helotes Creek Alliance.
The Scenic Loop-Helotes Creek Alliance, a nonprofit organization, stated that the permit approval is not the end of their fight.
“We hope TCEQ will grant a rehearing or that the PID will be rejected by local leaders,” Neumann said. “And if the 2.5 million residents across Central Texas who depend on the Edwards Aquifer ultimately don’t get the remedy they deserve, our message will be, ‘See you in court.’”
The release stated that the nonprofit accuses TCEQ of applying “cookie-cutter” rules that should not be implemented in the Helotes Creek watershed.
“The TCEQ actually admits on its website that the Texas Hill Country and the Edwards Aquifer are a unique situation in its Edwards Aquifer Protection Plan,” Neumann said. “But the protections the plan offers are simply window dressing, offering little to no protection for groundwater.”
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