San Antonio River Authority picks up more than 17,000 pounds of trash in 2 days

When it rains, it pours — and it also washes up unwanted litter into the San Antonio River.

In the past two days (not including Wednesday), around 60 staff members and contractors with the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) have picked up more than 17,000 pounds of trash along the San Antonio River Basin, specifically in the Mission Reach area that extends south of the downtown section. 

Watershed and Park Operations Senior Superintendent for the SARA Tommy Mitchell said the total doesn’t include the tires, mattresses, and shopping carts they’ve found along the way. He noted they’ve covered about 3.8 miles and still need more than four miles to go along the Mission Reach. 

RELATED: Don’t mess with the San Antonio River 

“No matter where you live in San Antonio, your actions can impact positively and negatively to the San Antonio River,” Mitchell said. “We ask for everyone to dispose of trash properly so when rain days do occur, it won’t wash up this amount of trash.”

When rain events happen, Mitchell said it is common for litter to pop up, but the amount of rain San Antonio’s been getting is causing more trash to return in areas crews already previously cleared. While there is a lot of litter, Mitchell did note they are also cleaning mud piles on trails as well so folks can get back out there and enjoy the river. 

“Normally, it rains and the crews clean it up quickly, but this situation is different as more rain keeps coming,” Yviand Serbones-Hernandez, SARA’s public communications coordinator said. “It’s taking a bit longer than unusual and they are still out there, and will continue to as the rain doesn’t look like it’s stopping.

Since April 29, the crews have picked up more than 21,000 pounds of trash, with most of it coming from the 17,000 pounds found Monday and Tuesday.

For those looking to help, Mitchell said you can join their River Warrior volunteer program and apply at sariverauthority.org. Anyone 15-years-old and older can help keep the creeks and rivers clean.

Leave a Reply