AF, city partner to improve infrastructure for Airmen, community

  • Published
  • By Armando Perez
  • AFIMSC Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – The City of San Antonio and the Air Force broke ground Aug. 7 to launch a $175 million San Antonio Water System sewer pipeline project to improve service for more than 500,000 people, including Airmen and civilians working and living on JBSA-Lackland.
 
Mark Correll, deputy assistance secretary of the Air Force for Environment, Safety, and Infrastructure, and Brig. Gen. Laura Lenderman, commander of the 502nd Air Base Wing and JBSA-San Antonio, U.S. Congressmen Henry Cuellar and Will Hurd, and San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg were among the participants. 
 
The project will involve the installation of a 20,000-foot-long sewage pipeline placed 100 feet below ground and will avoid obstructing traffic and military operations at Lackland. According to SAWS officials, construction will begin in mid-2020 and take about 36 months. SAWS officials estimate that up to 20 percent of the new sewer capacity will be used by JBSA-Lackland. 
 
Correll said the Air Force has a need to assure its mission and the environmental safety of the base and community. The collaboration done in partnership with SAWS, 502nd ABW, Air Force Civil Engineer Center and local elected officials will be monumental in providing the service San Antonio needs while eliminating the need to disturb sealed landfills, officials said.
 
“Through collaboration, the Air Force and SAWS were able to craft an agreement which provides wastewater service that San Antonio needs and better mission support for the Air Force,” Correll said. “The Air Force thanks local leadership and the community for what you do for us.”
 
Military City USA is not a name only, but an action, Lenderman said. 
 
“City leadership is by far the most collaborative group of people I have had the pleasure to serve with in my 25-years. The success of this project is proof of that,” she said. “This project will provide mutual benefits to ensure a successful infrastructure improvement for not only the community, but for our service members of Military City USA and their families.”