What We Do: Client Stories

Home now a sweeter home thanks to Espada Sewer Connect Program

Porfirio BustillosFor the first time in 72 years, Mr. Porfirio Bustillos has a sewer line connection to his home. Born and raised in the Mission Espada neighborhood, he has lived in the same house on Espada Road since 1934.

He vividly remembers seeing the transformation of old farm roads into what is now Interstate Loop 410. But with so much development happening around him, he never had sewer service until now.

Merced was able to provide Mr. Bustillos with a permanent sewer connection through the Espada Sewer Connect Program. Before, he had relied on outhouses and septic tanks to fill waste management needs.

“It’s such an improvement to my house,” Bustillos said. “It feels pretty good to have a sewer line now.”

Merced Housing Texas collaborated with San Antonio Water System, City of San Antonio and Los Vecinos de las Misiones to provide lateral connections to sewer mains. Merced Housing Texas leveraged more than $3,300,000 for the Espada Sewer Connect Program from, among others, the Meadows Foundation, the Goldsbury Foundation, and USAA Federal Savings Bank. Merced also secured $150,000 from the San Antonio Housing Trust for rehabilitation of homes.

For people like Porfirio, the Espada Sewer Connect Program made all the difference to eliminate the health hazards and inconveniences caused by improper waste management.

“After 72 years, I am so glad that I do not have to worry about my septic tank getting stopped up anymore,” Bustillos said.

(Return to Special Projects or read more Client Stories)