Heavy Rains Flush Blockage to Clouse Water Recycling Center

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Water System crews are onsite at the Steven M. Clouse Water Recycling Center repairing damage that resulted in a spill caused by recent record rains in excess of 4.5 inches.

Rapidly incoming floodwaters flushed a massive ball of grease and debris into the equipment of the Clouse Recycling Center, preventing further inflows. As a result, a sewer spill developed exceeding the amount for public notice. (See attached TCEQ notice for more details.) No adverse impacts are expected since the spill has been heavily diluted by stormwater.

Grease, wipes, and debris are a major cause of sewer spills in San Antonio as well as across the country. SAWS recently launch an ad campaign to remind people that what they put down the drain or toilet clogs up lines. More on SAWS Pipes Don’t Lie campaign is here: www.saws.org/Pipes

Under San Antonio’s EPA consent decree, SAWS has invested $1.2 billion in improvements to the city’s sewage infrastructure over the course of 12 years. For an interactive map and details on sewer project construction, visit www.saws.org/sewer.