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San Antonio City Code ch. 34, art. VIII, div. 3
in effect

San Antonio City Code § 34-1181 Definitions.

Sec. 34-1181. - Definitions. Conversion benefit shall mean the sum of money paid by SAWS to, or cost incurred by SAWS specifically to the benefit of: (1) An existing customer of SAWS who contracts to purchase recycled water thereby reducing the existing customer's utilization of Edwards Aquifer water; and (2) Any customer who exchanges with SAWS all or part of the customer's Edwards Aquifer water withdrawal rights for recycled water from SAWS. Distribution main shall mean a recycled water main offsite to a customer which is constructed at the expense of the recycled water customer and which connects one (1) or more customers with a SAWS transmission main. Distribution mains terminate at (1) the point of connection with a customer's recycled water meter, and (2) the point of connection with SAWS' transmission mains. All distribution mains (including the recycled water meter connecting to a customer's onsite recycled water main) accepted by SAWS become the property of SAWS at the time the distribution main is accepted. Edwards exchange customer shall mean a customer who exchanges Edwards Aquifer water withdrawal rights for a like volume of recycled water and who filed a request for recycled water service with SAWS. An Edwards exchange customer can only exchange Edwards Aquifer water withdrawal rights which have been recognized by the Edwards Aquifer Authority, either pursuant to (1) interim authorization, (2) an initial regular permit, or (3) a regular permit, under 31 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 705 et seq. An Edwards exchange customer may exchange all or a portion of its permitted Edwards Aquifer water withdrawal rights. A transfer of permitted Edwards Aquifer water withdrawal rights from an Edwards exchange customer to SAWS must be approved by the Edwards Aquifer Authority pursuant to 31 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 705, Subchapter H or such future regulations as the state or Edwards Aquifer Authority may promulgate. In order to qualify for Edwards exchange customer status, the transfer of Edwards Aquifer water withdrawal rights to SAWS must be perpetual and unconditional. An Edwards exchange customer will only be provided recycled water in an amount which is equal to the Edwards Aquifer water withdrawal right which is transferred to SAWS. An Edwards exchange customer is not required to exchange the entirety of its Edwards Aquifer water withdrawal right, only that portion the Edwards exchange customer wishes to exchange for recycled water. Existing customer shall mean a potable water customer of SAWS on June 30, 1997, who filed a request for recycled water service with SAWS. Onsite recycled water mains shall mean any recycled water transport or distribution lines on the customer's side of the recycled water meter. Onsite recycled water mains are built by the customer and subject to permitting, SAWS and 30 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 210 et seq. minimum standards and inspection as set out in the SAWS water recycling standards. Transmission main shall mean a recycled water main including pumping and monitoring facilities built at the expense of SAWS. (Ord. No. 87597, § 1, 3-26-98)

San Antonio City Code § 34-1182 Extension policy.

Sec. 34-1182. - Extension policy. SAWS will design and construct all recycled water transmission mains, recycled water treatment facilities, and recycled water pumping facilities SAWS determines are necessary and appropriate for providing recycled water to SAWS' recycled water customers. Recycled water shall be sold to customers whose water purchase volumes and/or decreases in Edwards Aquifer water withdrawals volumes due to recycled water purchases make it practicable and beneficial, in SAWS' opinion, to provide recycled water to the customer. (Ord. No. 87597, § 1, 3-26-98)

San Antonio City Code § 34-1183 SAWS not obligated to proceed.

Sec. 34-1183. - SAWS not obligated to proceed. (a) In no event shall SAWS be obligated to proceed with the construction, maintenance or operation of the recycled water system, or any part thereof, unless there are sufficient funds available, or if in the opinion of the board of trustees of SAWS, the main extension or recycled water operation is not in the public interest. (b) The decision of the chief executive officer of SAWS, or his designee, shall be final in the determination of line size, approval of plans and specifications, the decision to enter into a recycled water contract with a customer and the availability of funds for construction and/or reimbursement for construction of oversize lines. (Ord. No. 87597, § 1, 3-26-98)

San Antonio City Code § 34-1184 Specifications for service connections.

Sec. 34-1184. - Specifications for service connections. The specifications for recycled water service connections shall conform to the standards set by SAWS.

San Antonio City Code § 34-1185 Cross connections with potable water mains prohibited.

Sec. 34-1185. - Cross connections with potable water mains prohibited. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to make or to maintain any cross connection or to allow any cross connection to exist at any place under the control of any person. (b) The term "cross connection," as used in this section, is any mechanical union or any hydraulic union which, under any condition, might pass recycled water into the potable water supply system. Any switchover system potentially allowing use of potable water as a temporary substitute for recycled water if recycled water is not available shall be built to ensure that recycled water does not back flow into the potable water system. (c) To ensure the complete separation of a customer's onsite potable water system from the lines supplying recycled water, SAWS will require an inspection of the customer's onsite potable water system by the local plumbing inspection department having jurisdiction prior to supplying recycled water. Facilities located outside incorporated city limits and not having access to municipal plumbing inspections, shall have the inspection conducted by a state licensed water protection specialist or a TNRCC approved customer service inspector. The SAWS backflow prevention section shall be notified of and participate in the inspections. The inspections will involve procedures to be established by SAWS. The inspections and any recommended piping modifications shall be completed prior to commencement of the recycled water service. A reinspection shall be conducted every three (3) years or as deemed necessary by the local plumbing inspection department and/or SAWS. (Ord. No. 87597, § 1, 3-26-98)
Source: City of San Antonio, City Code, City Charter and Unified Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/san_antonio/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH34WASE_ARTVIIIREWASERA_DIV3SYFetched: 10/27/2026

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