The Guajolote Ranch development threatens San Antonio's drinking water
Lennar Homes is planning for a 3,000-home residential development on 1,160 acres off of Scenic Loop Road, upstream of sensitive land where water flows underground and recharges the Edwards Aquifer.
A vast limestone rock layer that holds water underground, the Edwards Aquifer is the main drinking water supply for 2 million people in the greater San Antonio area.
Two possibilities for Edwards Aquifer contamination
Developing the Guajolote Tract risks increasing contamination to the Edwards Aquifer from two possible sources: wastewater and stormwater runoff.
A hydrologist’s view on the risks
“The proposed Guajolote development is located in some of the most sensitive areas of recharge to the Edwards: the Helotes Creek watershed. This watershed is one of the closest up-gradient watersheds for major San Antonio Water System pumping centers. It’s located in the contributing zone, but only a short distance from the recharge zone, and has multiple creek beds which have significant recharge potential.”
“Contaminants released in the Helotes Creek watershed could easily arrive at a San Antonio Water System well field in a few days, possibly sooner.”
— Ronald Green, Ph.D., P.G., groundwater hydrologist
