Grey Forest, October 23, 2025
News Summary
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is set to make a crucial decision regarding the proposed wastewater treatment plant in Grey Forest, intended to serve the Guajalote Ranch development featuring 2,900 homes. Local residents express concerns about environmental hazards, fearing potential sewage discharge into Helotes Creek and contamination of drinking water sources. The TCEQ’s Office of Public Interest Counsel has advised against granting the permit, emphasizing significant public health and environmental issues. Legal responses to the controversy are expected by March 23, which will inform the commission’s ultimate decision.
Grey Forest
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is set to decide on a proposed wastewater treatment plant in Grey Forest. The permit decision will determine whether a facility intended to serve the planned “Guajalote Ranch” development may move forward. The development aims to build 2,900 homes in the area and is being backed by a Florida-based company.
What is at stake
Local residents oppose the proposed wastewater treatment plant and have raised multiple environmental and public-health concerns. Among the main issues are that the plant could release up to 4 million gallons of sewage into Helotes Creek, and that neighbors who depend on well water fear potential pollution of their drinking water. There is also concern that wastewater could seep into the Edwards Aquifer, which serves San Antonio and surrounding areas. The TCEQ’s Office of Public Interest Counsel has recommended denying the wastewater permit for the corporation planning the development.
Supporting details and immediate developments
- The plant would serve the planned “Guajalote Ranch” development, which aims to build 2,900 homes in the area.
- The project is being backed by a Florida-based company.
- Local residents oppose the proposed wastewater treatment plant.
- Concerns have been raised that the plant could release up to 4 million gallons of sewage into Helotes Creek.
- Neighbors, who depend on well water, fear potential pollution of their drinking water.
- There is concern that wastewater could seep into the Edwards Aquifer, which serves San Antonio and surrounding areas.
- The TCEQ’s Office of Public Interest Counsel has recommended denying the wastewater permit for the corporation planning the development.
- A bipartisan group of San Antonio-area state legislators recently toured the Guajalote Ranch area to assess the potential impact of the development.
- Residents in and around Helotes have voiced concerns about the daily discharge of about one million gallons of treated sewage into the Helotes Creek watershed.
- The Helotes Creek watershed is located in the recharge zone for the Trinity Glen Rose Aquifer and the Edwards Aquifer.
- These aquifers provide drinking water to millions of people.
- Attorneys from both sides have until March 23 to file responses and closing arguments regarding the controversy.
Regulatory context
The permit decision by the TCEQ will follow review procedures that include filings from attorneys for both sides. Attorneys from both sides have until March 23 to file responses and closing arguments regarding the controversy. The Office of Public Interest Counsel’s recommendation to deny the permit is part of the agency’s internal advisory process; the final decision rests with the commission.
Hydrologic and community concerns
Residents and local officials have emphasized the geographic relationship between the proposed discharge area and regional groundwater systems. The Helotes Creek watershed is located in the recharge zone for the Trinity Glen Rose Aquifer and the Edwards Aquifer. Concerns focus on the potential for surface discharges or subsurface seepage to affect wells used for drinking water and to reach aquifers that provide water to a broad population. These aquifers provide drinking water to millions of people.
Process next steps
With the TCEQ scheduled to take up the permit, the immediate procedural step is the submission of legal filings by March 23. After filings close, the commission will consider the Office of Public Interest Counsel recommendation, the administrative record, and any additional evidence or testimony it deems relevant before issuing a final decision.
Key facts table
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Regulatory body | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) |
| Location | Grey Forest / Helotes Creek watershed |
| Project | Wastewater treatment plant to serve “Guajalote Ranch” |
| Planned homes | 2,900 homes |
| Backer | Florida-based company |
| Potential discharge | Up to 4 million gallons into Helotes Creek |
| Daily discharge cited by residents | About one million gallons of treated sewage into Helotes Creek watershed |
| TCEQ Office position | Office of Public Interest Counsel recommended denying the wastewater permit |
| Legal filing deadline | Attorneys from both sides have until March 23 to file responses and closing arguments |
Timeline
| Date / Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Current | The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is set to decide on a proposed wastewater treatment plant in Grey Forest. | Pending |
| Recent | A bipartisan group of San Antonio-area state legislators recently toured the Guajalote Ranch area to assess the potential impact of the development. | Fact reported |
| March 23 | Attorneys from both sides have until March 23 to file responses and closing arguments regarding the controversy. | Deadline |
Simple visual charts
Comparison of cited volumes
FAQ
What decision is pending?
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is set to decide on a proposed wastewater treatment plant in Grey Forest.
What development would the plant serve?
The plant would serve the planned “Guajalote Ranch” development, which aims to build 2,900 homes in the area.
Who is backing the project?
The project is being backed by a Florida-based company.
Are local residents supportive?
Local residents oppose the proposed wastewater treatment plant.
What are the main environmental concerns?
Concerns have been raised that the plant could release up to 4 million gallons of sewage into Helotes Creek.
Are there drinking-water concerns?
Neighbors, who depend on well water, fear potential pollution of their drinking water.
Is there a risk to regional aquifers?
There is concern that wastewater could seep into the Edwards Aquifer, which serves San Antonio and surrounding areas.
What did the TCEQ’s Office of Public Interest Counsel recommend?
The TCEQ’s Office of Public Interest Counsel has recommended denying the wastewater permit for the corporation planning the development.
Did lawmakers visit the site?
A bipartisan group of San Antonio-area state legislators recently toured the Guajalote Ranch area to assess the potential impact of the development.
What have residents said about discharge amounts?
Residents in and around Helotes have voiced concerns about the daily discharge of about one million gallons of treated sewage into the Helotes Creek watershed.
Where is the Helotes Creek watershed located in relation to aquifers?
The Helotes Creek watershed is located in the recharge zone for the Trinity Glen Rose Aquifer and the Edwards Aquifer.
How many people rely on the affected aquifers?
These aquifers provide drinking water to millions of people.
What is the legal filing deadline in this matter?
Attorneys from both sides have until March 23 to file responses and closing arguments regarding the controversy.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Residents Unite Against Wastewater Treatment Plant in Bexar County
Additional Resources
- News4SanAntonio
- Wikipedia: Wastewater treatment
- Fox San Antonio
- Google Search: San Antonio Spurs community center
- KSAT
- Google Scholar: Guajolote Ranch wastewater permit
- Express News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Edwards Aquifer
- News4SanAntonio
- Google News: Wastewater plant Bexar County
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
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