Here you will find a series of enlightening facts centered around the embattled Guajolote Ranch development project by Lennar homes in Northwest Bexar County.
Did you know the wastewater permit being applied for is a TPDES (Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System) permit that does not remove all of the contaminents from the sewage effluent?
- As the name implies, it is pollution being discharged to the environment and in a karst environment that equates to pollution being discharged to groundwater.
- Membrane Bio Reactors (MBRs) are great at removing solids and nutrients, but even the EPA and recent studies show they don’t fully eliminate microplastics, PFAS, pharmaceuticals, or illicit drugs. These contaminants are called ‘Contaminants of Emerging Concern’ and require additional treatment beyond MBRs. So, while the water may look clean, it’s not chemically pure-and that’s why it’s still considered sewer effluent.
- Congress.gov – Regulating Drinking Water Contaminants
- EPA.gov – PFAS Strategic Roadmap
- TCEQ – What is TPDES?
- PFAS in water and wastewater
Did you know that Texas, under the leadership of TCEQ, ranks #46 out of the 50 US States on Air & Water Quality?
- U.S. News and World Report 2025 Natural Environment Ranking
Did you know the TCEQ Permit filed for the wastewater treatment plant planned for the Guajolote Ranch does not consider the impact of dumping million’s of gallons of treated sewage into our drinking water aquifers even though their owns rules say they should?
- What is the TCEQ TPDES Permit for Wastewater Discharge.
- This TPDES permit only takes into consideration the impact on “SURFACE WATER”.
- Who protects our Aquifers? (Edwards contributing zone, and Trinity recharge zone)
- See 3.7.7.(b).(2).(iii) TCEQ Texas Surface Water Quality Standards for appropriate uses section on domestic water supply and aquifer protection. Why was this not considered in the TPDES review?
Did you know the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District negotiated a backroom deal with Lennar Homes wastewater operator without the knowledge of the San Antonio Mayor or city council, and then refused to make their negotiated settlement public?
- Judge rules that Metro Health, after caving to Lennar, must release secret settlement
- The negotiated settlement called for the addition of (TLAPS) or Land Application (spraying the water out across the land with sprinklers) in addition to the discharge directly into the creek.
- Public Servants at Metro Health eliminated any leverage the City of San Antonio had in negotiations with the approval of our City Leaders.
Did you know the Guajolote Ranch is an 1,160 acre parcel of property located near the intersection of Babcock Rd and Scenic Loop Rd and is about 5 to 6 miles from the major arterial roadways of IH-10, Loop 1604, and Hwy 16 (Bandera Rd).
- Map depicting the location of the Guajolote Ranch Development.
- Lennar Homes of Texas is attempting to put a 2,900 home neighborhood on the Guajolote Ranch (Master Development Plan). The Guajolote Ranch is in Bexar County Precinct 3 and in the ETJ of San Antonio District 8. The ranch is near the cities of Grey Forest, Helotes, and San Antonio, but is not located inside of any incorporated municipality.
Did you know that Guajolote Ranch, Inc is owned by the Huntress family of Terrell Hills with Lennar holding an option to purchase the property. The Huntress family, through their treasurer, Richard H. “Rick” LePere has submitted a $138,000,000 Public Improvement District (PID) request to Bexar County Commissioners Court.
- The boundaries of the requested PID exactly match the boundaries of the Guajolote Ranch Master Development Plan (MDP). The interesting thing is that the MDP has no Commercial property platting and the developer is contracted with SAWS to maintain 50% green spaces, so all of the $138M will be repaid via property tax assessment’s on the 2,900 homes planned for the development.
- The total payback amount for a 4% bond of $138,000,000 over 30 years would be approximately $265,329,000. This includes both the principal and the interest paid over the expected term of the bonds.
- If you divide the $265,329,000 amongst the 2,900 future home owners, each individual residential homeowner would be responsible for paying back approximately $91,493 in property taxes assessments over the assumed duration to cover the cost of the PID.
- The PID will pay for the dreaded wastewater treatment plant, roads, utility installations and other infrastructure required for the new development.
- Guajolote Ranch PID
- Huntress Family
- Richard H. “Rick” LePere
- Guajolote Ranch Inc