Throughout this process, San Antonio Water System (SAWS) has mandated any partners to this project must abide by existing covenants in the original contract.

According to parties involved, Garney Construction, a Kansas City, Mo.-based company and Abengoa have reached an agreement to allow Garney to purchase 80 percent of the Vista Ridge Project, reducing the role of Abengoa to a silent 20 percent equity partner in the project.

As granted within the original contract unanimously approved by City Council in 2014, SAWS retains right of final approval of this change. Throughout this process, San Antonio Water System (SAWS) has mandated any partners to this project must abide by existing covenants in the original contract, developed as a result of the publicly held negotiations.

Garney Construction is a welcome and familiar face to SAWS as they have developed a more than 30-year relationship with the San Antonio water utility, performing more than $156 million in major projects including: SAWS Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR), the Local Carrizo Aquifer project and SAWS water recycling pipeline.

They are currently building a 28-mi. (45 km) integration pipeline, which will bring water from the desalination and ASR plants throughout the south and west sides of San Antonio.

Garney also is named in the original Vista Ridge contract as the project construction firm.

Robert R. Puente, president/CEO of SAWS said that the new leadership is a positive step in the progression of the Vista Ridge project. “Garney Construction has a strong history with SAWS and has been involved in this project since the beginning. In stepping up to the lead position, Garney brings unparalleled continuity and skill to the table.”

“Garney's extensive local experience and strong local relationships will help us move forward with this important project,” commented Mayor Ivy Taylor. “Failure to secure our water future is our biggest risk, and Vista Ridge is a key component of our plan to diversify and expand our water supply.”

Consideration by the SAWS Board of Trustees of the proposal could come later this spring, and although this represents no material change to the contract, SAWS will continue to engage the public and City Council through presentations and public meetings to familiarize the community and answer any questions that may come up.

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