STV’s team in San Antonio recently took to the region’s waterways to support the 30th annual Basura Bash, Texas’ largest river cleanup event. Held annually across several waterways in San Antonio, the Basura Bash brings together volunteers to clean up local rivers, creeks and lakes, all in the name of reducing pollution and preserving the environment.
STV’s team, through their involvement with the San Antonio chapter of the Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT) and Texas American Water Works Association (TAWWA), helped cleanup efforts at the Olmos Creek Basin. For the past 26 years, the local TAWWA/WEAT chapter has proudly participated in the cleanup efforts at this vital water basin.
“The Basura Bash is one of my favorite volunteer events of the year,” said Aja Calderon, a water/wastewater engineer who has volunteered at the event for the past four years. “It’s incredible seeing everyone come out to support a cause that truly makes a difference in our communities and the environment. It’s also a fun opportunity to work with peers and their families outside of the office, get to know each other on a more personal level, and build a sense of community within our industry. It’s such an impactful and rewarding event, and I always encourage others to come out and do their part in keeping our waterways clean.”
For first time volunteers, like STV’s Anissa Calamaco, engineering specialist, the clean-up offered a unique view of community engagement and stewardship.
“This year’s Basura Bash was eye-opening,” Calamaco said. “I’ve always been passionate about protecting the environment, but actually taking part in the event made me realize just how crucial community involvement is when it comes to environmental preservation. It was such a rewarding experience, and I’m already looking forward to next year.”
Overall, this year’s event saw an incredible turnout with over 53,652 volunteers. Those volunteers collected a staggering 1,442,180 pounds of trash, including 124,020 pounds of recyclables, 56,000 pounds of metals and 7,566 tires.
