The San Antonio Water System and Texas state regulators are debating ownership rights to treated wastewater once it’s released into a public waterway. Earlier this year, SAWS sought ownership of the water, applying for a “bed and banks” permit. In Texas, water law states all surface water is owned by the state, so the city cedes ownership once effluent is released into the river.Recently, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality responded to the request, denying San Antonio permission to retain rights.According to a letter from the agency: “the legislature has recognized that it has not authorized granting water rights exclusively
