The San Antonio Water System (SAWS), San Antonio River Authority and the city of San Antonio have agreed to collaborate on a smoke testing project focused on discharge pipes that release into the downtown River Walk.

In order to improve and manage water quality in the downtown portion of the San Antonio River, crews will pump odorless, nontoxic and nonstaining smoke through exposed drainpipes. The pipes will be identified during River Walk draining and cleaning. The smoke testing undertaking is intended to identify and prevent wastewater runoff contamination in the River Walk.

"We know that there are numerous discharge pipes that drain into the river, but we need to know where they are coming from and document it," said SAWS spokeswoman Anne Hayden. "Most of these pipes will lead to street gutters, but there is a chance that some could lead to businesses and residences along the River Walk, so we want individuals in the area to know that they could be seeing smoke in the area."

SAWS provides water and wastewater services to more than 1 million people in the San Antonio-area.

Source: San Antonio Business Journal