Wastewater Line Through Spring Lake Preserve

SMGA has serious concerns about the proposed wastewater line to be routed through Spring Lake Preserve and underneath Sink Creek. We are sensitive to the need to replace overburdened existing lines and to support future development in and around the North LBJ area. However, Spring Lake Preserve is a shared investment for all San Marcos citizens. The collaborative efforts of a bond, voted upon by the people of San Marcos and Hays County, demonstrate widespread support for this preserve. The addition of a wastewater line through the preserve is antithetical to its primary purpose: the protection of the headwaters of the San Marcos River and Spring Lake as well as the Edwards Aquifer recharge features that supply the lake’s water. Many of our partners in the purchase of this property expect us to protect the numerous endangered species of this ecosystem. We should honor our shared intent.

We appreciate that the city’s engineers are aware of mistakes made during installation of phase one of the wastewater line and plan to incorporate best practices in future line construction. Given the significant mistakes in phase one it would be wise to mandate rigorous precautions above and beyond the minimal requirements. We further ask that the council consider alternative routes, in addition to those considered in the initial evaluation, for this wastewater line. The initial set of options were restricted in scope due to the outdated wastewater master plan. At the very least, if council chooses the more dangerous course, it should insist that any wastewater line through this sensitive area be subjected to more frequent and rigorous inspections than is currently required during and long after construction.

SMGA is currently drafting a letter regarding our concerns with this project. Please take the time to contact the Mayor and City Council at [email protected] with your concerns before this issue comes up on the council agenda on May 17. A recent presentation to the community on the proposed wastewater line is available at
http://www.sanmarcostx.gov/departments/CIP/docs/SinkCreekPh2_18april11.pdf