Diamante Ranch Subdivision
The Diamante Ranch, a subdivision adjacent to the Jesus Christ Church of Latter Day Saints Church on Stahl Lane in Bulverde, Texas, is attempting to install a wastewater treatment plant that will have the discharge capacity of 600,000 gallons per day of treated wastewater directly into an “unnamed creek” along Stahl Lane. They claim it will provide services for the Diamante Ranch, a subdivision with several hundred one-acre homesites.
To put that in perspective, the 4S Ranch with its 2200 homes has a treatment plant of 480,000 gallons per day.
Many questions arise from their decision like “Why can’t the homes just have septic systems? Where do you plan to get the water to make a treatment plant that big function properly?” and “Why would you tell the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality that you’re dumping the water into a creek along Stahl Lane? There isn’t a creek on Stahl Lane that runs down to the Cibolo Creek!”
A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE TREATMENT PLANT WILL TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 26TH, 7PM, AT THE HAMPTON INN IN BULVERDE (499 Singing Oaks, Spring Branch, TX 78070)
Please plan to attend! After the meeting, we will provide an update with you regarding the outcome and the next steps.
4S Ranch Subdivision
The Bulverde Neighborhood Alliance, BNA, along with others was able to encourage Lennar Homes, the developer of the 4S Ranch Subdivision, to re-use treated wastewater for irrigation. The settlement agreement negotiated movement of the treatment plant to the north end of the subdivision. Lennar Homes and it’s developer also agreed to 2 – 2 million gallon holding tanks. By doing so, the water will have to be treated at a higher level, and the discharge will not be concentrated into one stream that could eventually make it down to the Trinity/Glen Rose and Edwards Aquifers. Thus Lewis Creek, which has known aquifer recharge that supplies 2000+ residents in the town of Bulverde with fresh drinking water, should remain unaffected. While Mother Nature can not be controlled, freezing temperatures and or major flooding, are the only times re-use would not be feasible.
Currently, Lennar Homes and it’s developer are completing the utilities right of way that lies within the 100′ buffer zone to the north of Oak Village North, Unit 2. Our consulting engineer advised this is normal for developers to clear cut everything then replant once the installations has been completed.
Great concern now is for the new Martin-Marietta Quarry at ~29000 Lower Smithson Valley Rd. Once a local Bexar county quarry, it’s loss of permit lead to the recent purchase. This quarry is only 1.5 miles south of FM 1863. The impact on air quality for the eastern portion of Bulverde is of major concern along with water resource depletion. BNA has been in contact with GEAA, Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, for assistance and advice.