Hawkins represented SAWS as lead counsel in the structuring and negotiation of the water transmission and purchase agreement and related project and security agreements for SAWS’ $3 billion Vista Ridge Regional Water Supply Project (a design-build-finance-operate-maintain public-private partnership). The raw groundwater well and transmission pipeline project will provide San Antonio with up to 50,000 acre feet per year of Carrizo-Wilcox and Simsboro aquifer water from wells located 142 miles northeast in Burleson County for 30 years following the completion of construction. The project will be the largest non-Edwards Aquifer supply of water in San Antonio’s history and is the first large scale water sector P3 in Texas. Our water infrastructure attorneys are also representing SAWS on a companion water system improvements project designed to receive and distribute Vista Ridge water, being procured on a progressive design-build basis.
| Client | San Antonio Water System (SAWS) |
| Role | Owner’s Lead Counsel |
| Distinction | First Large Scale Water Sector P3 Project in Texas |
| Delivery Method | Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Maintain (P3) |
| Project Size | 50,000 AFY |
| Capital Cost | $900 Million |
| Contract Value | $3 Billion |
| Contract Term | 30 Years |
| Contract Counterparties | Vista Ridge LLC (Garney Construction) |
| Awards | Project Finance International North American Deal of the Year, Global Water Intelligence Water Deal of the Year and P3 Bulletin Best Utilities Project of the Year Gold Medal |
