REPORT FOR CONSULTATION ON THE
METROPOLITAN SAN ANTONIO
INTRASTATE AIR QUALITY CONTROL REGION
(TEXAS)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
Public Health Service
Consumer Protection and Environmental Health Service
-------
REPORT FOR CONSULTATION ON THE
SAN ANTONIO
INTRASTATE AIR QUALITY CONTROL REGION
(TEXAS)
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
Public Health Service
Consumer Protection and Environmental Health Service
National Air Pollution Control Administration
October, 1969
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION I:
THE REGIONAL APPROACH TO AIR QUALITY CONTROL AND
A FEDERAL PROPOSAL FOR THE SAN ANTONIO REGION
Preface. . 0 . 0 . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 . . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Regional Approach...................................
Introduction
.. ... ... ......'.00...0..0....0.08.00..
Criteria for Determining Region Size 0.............
Procedures for Designating Region Boundaries ......
The Federal Proposal....................................
SEcn ON II:
ANALYSIS AND PROPOSAL FOR THE METROPOLITAN
SAN ANTONIO INTRASTATE AIR QUALITY CONTROL
REGION BY THE TEXAS AIR CONTROL BOARD
Evaluation of Engineering Factors.......................
Introduction...................................... .
Topography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Meteorology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emission Inventory.................................
Air Quality Analysis...............................
Suspended Particulate Air Levels..............
Sulfur Oxide Levels...........................
Carbon Monoxide Leve 1s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Evaluation of Urban Factors.............................
Population. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .
Industry......... 'j"'.".'."""""""'.""""
Page
i
ii
ii
iii
vii
x
1
1
1
4
7
8
15
15
17
17
19
19
19
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TABLE OF
CONTENTS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
( CONTINUED)
Regional
Planning..............
Air Pollution Control Agencies.
The Proposed Region.........
Discussion of Proposal.
................
. . . . . . 8, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
... ........ ..............
References.......................................... .
22
22
24
24
27
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SECTION J;
THE REGIONAL APPROACH TO AIR QUALITY CONTROL AND A
FEDERAL PROPOSAL FOR THE SAN ANTONIO REGION
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i
PREFACE
The Secretary, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, is
directed by the Clean Air Act, as amended, to designate "air quality
control regions" prior to the adoption by the State(s) of air quality
standards and plans for the implementation of the standards.
In
addition to listing the major factors to be considered in the develop-
ment of region boundaries, the Act stipulates that the designation of
a region shall be preceded by consultation with appropriate State and
local authorities.
The National Air Pollution Control Administration (NAPCA) recently
established a new policy by which States may propose to the Federal
Government boundaries for air quality control regions.
The Texas
Air Control Board is the first state agency to initiate proposals
for region boundaries under the new policy.
The Air Control Board,
with assistance from NAPCA, has conducted a study of the San Antonio
metropolitan area, the results of which are presented in the body of
this report.
The Region boundaries proposed in the report reflect
consideration of available and pertinent data; however, the boundaries
remain subject to revision suggested by consultation between Federal,
State, and local authorities.
Formal designation will be withheld
pending the outcome of the meeting.
This report is intended to serve
as the starting point for the consultation.
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ii
THE REGIONAL APPROA.CH
Introduction
"For the purpose of establishing ambient air
quality standards pursuant to section 108, and for
administrative and other purposes, the Secretary,
after consultation with appropriate State and local
authorities, shall, to the extent feasible, within
18 months ~fter the date of enactment of the Air
Quality P.~t of 1967 designate air quality control
regions based on jurisdictional boundaries, urban-
industrial concentrations, and other factors including
implementation of air quality standards. The
Secretary may from time to time thereafter, as he
determines necessary to protect the public health
and welfare and after consultation with appropriate
State and local authorities, revise the designation
of such regions and designate additional air quality
control regions. The Secretary shall immediately
notify the Governor or Governors of the affected
State or States of such designation."
Section 107(a), Air Quality Act of 1967
Air pollution, because of its direct relationship to people and
their activities, is an urban problem.
Urban sprawls often cover
thousands of square miles; they quite often include parts of more
than one state and almost always are made up of several counties and
an even greater number of cities.
Air pollution, therefore, also
becomes a regional problem, and the collaboration of several govern-
mental jurisdictions is prerequisite to the solution of the problem in
any given area.
Air quality control regions called for in the above-
quoted section of the Air Quality Act of 1967 are meant to define the
geographical extent of air pollution problems in different urban areas
and the combination of jurisdictions that must contribute to the
solution in each.
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iii
The regional approach set up by the Air Quality Act is illustrated
in Figure 1.
The approach involves a series of steps to be taken by
Federal, State, and local governments, beginning with the designation
of regions, the publication of air quality criteria, and the publication
of information on available control techniques by the Federal Govern-
mente
Following the completion of these three steps, the Governors
of the States affected by a region must file with the Secretary
within 90 days a letter of intent, indicating that the States will
adopt within 180 days ambient air quality standards for the pollutants
covered by the published criteria and control technology documents
and adopt within another 180 days plans for the implementation,
maintenance, and enforcement of those standards in the designated air
quality control regions.
The new Federal legislation provides for a regional attack on air
pollution and, at the same time, allows latitude in the form which
regional efforts may take.
While the Secretary reserves approval
authority, the States involved in a designated region assume the
responsibility for developing standards and an implementation plan
which includes administrative procedures for abatement and control.
Criteria for Determining Region Size
Several objectives are important in determining how large an
air quality control region should be.
Basically, these objectives
can be divided into three separate categories.
First, a region should
be self-contained with respect to air pollution sources and receptors.
In other words, a region should include most of the important sources
as well as most of the people and property affected by those sources.
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HEW DESIGNATES
AI R QUALITY
CONTROL REGIONS.
HEW DEVELOPS AND
PUBLISHES AI R
QUALITY CRITERIA
BASED ON SCIENTIFIC
EVIDENCE OF AI R
POLLUTION EFFECTS.
HEW PREPARES
AND PUBLISHES
REPORTS ON
AVAILABLE CONTROL
TECHNIQUES
STATES INDICATE
THEIR INTENT
TO SET STANDARDS. (PUBLIC
HEARINGS)
STATES SET
AI R QUALITY
STANDARDS
FOR THE AIR
QUALITY CONTROL
REGIONS.
STATES SUBMIT
STANDARDS FOR
HEW REVIEW.
.....
<:
STATES ESTABLISH
COMPREHENSIVE PLANS
FOR IMPLEMENTING
AI R QUALITY
STANDARDS.
STATES SUBMIT
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
FOR HEW REVIEW.
STATES ACT TO CONTROL
AIR POLLUTION IN ACCORDANCE
WITH AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
AND PLANS FOR IMPLEMENTATION.
Figure 1 FLOW DIAGRAM FOR ACTION TO CONTROL AIR POLLUTION ON A REGIONAL
BASIS, UNDER THE AIR QUALITY ACT.
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.V
In this way, all the major elements of the regional problem will be
within one unified administrative jurisdiction.
Unfortunately, since
air pollutants can travel long distances, it is impractical if not
impossible to delineate regions which are completely self-contained.
The air over a region will usually have at least trace amounts of
pollutants from external sources.
During episodic conditions, such
contributions from external sources may even reach significant levels.
Conversely, air pollution generated within a region and transported
out of it can affect external receptors to some degree.
It would be
impractical and inefficient to make all air quality control regions
large enough to encompass these low-level effects.
The geographic
extent of trace effects overestimates the true problem area which
should be the focus of air pollution control efforts.
Thus, the first
objective, that a region be self-contained, becomes a question of
relative magnitude and frequency.
The dividing line between "important
influence" and "trace effect" will be a matter of judgment.
The.
judgment should be based on estimates of the impact a source has upon
a region, and the level of pollution to which receptors are subjected.
In this respect, annual and seasonal data on pollutant emissions and
ambient air concentrations are better measur~of relative influence
than short-term data on episodic conditions.
The second general objective requires that region boundaries be
designed to meet not only present conditions but also future conditions.
In other words, the region should include areas where industrial and
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vi
residential expansion are likely to create air pollution problems in
the foreseeable future, and provide a way of maintaining areas now
favored by clean air.
This objective requires careful consideration
of existing metropolitan development plans, expected population growth,
and projected industrial expansion.
Such considerations should result
in the designation of regions which will contain the sources and receptors
of regional air pollution for a number of years to come.
Of course,
region boundaries need not be permanently fixed, once designated.
Boundaries should be reviewed periodically and altered when changing
conditions warrant readjustment.
The third objective is that region boundaries should be compatible
with and even foster unified and cooperative governmental administration
of the air resource throughout the region.
Air pollution is a regional
problem which often extends across several municipal, county, and even
state boundaries.
Clearly, the collaboration of several governmental
jurisdictions is prerequisite to the solution of the problem.
There-
fore, the region should be delineated in a way which encourages
regional cooperation among the various governmental bodies involved in
air pollution control.
The pattern of cooperation among existing air
pollution control programs is a relevant factor.
The existing
boundaries of regional planning agencies or councils of government
may also become an important consideration.
In general, administrative
considerations dictate that governmental jurisdictions should not be
divided.
Although it would be impractical to preserve State jurisdictions
undivided, usually it is possible to preserve the unity of county
governments by including or excluding them in their entirety.
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vii
Occasionally, even this is impractical due to a county's large size,
wide variation in level of development, or striking topographical
features.
To the extent that any two of the above three objectives lead to
incompatible conclusions concerning region boundaries, the region must
represent a reasonable compromise.
A region should represent the best
way of satisfying the three objectives simultaneously.
Procedures for Designating Region Boundaries
Figure 2 summarizes the procedure used by the National Air Pollution
Control Administration for designating air quality control regions
whose boundaries are proposed by the State.
A preliminary delineation of the region is developed by bringing
together two essentially separate studies--the "Evaluation of Engineering
Factors'l and the "Evaluation of Urban Factors."
The study of "Engineering Factors" indicates the location of
pollution sources and the geographic extent of serious pollutant con-
centrations in the ambient air.
Pollution sources are located by an
inventory of emissions from automobiles, industrial activities, space
heating, waste disposal, and other pollution generators.
Pollution
concentrations in the ambient air are estimated from air quality
sampling data and from a theoretical diffusion model.
When it exists,
air quality sampling data is more reliable than the theoretical
diffusion model results since the data is directly recorded by pollution
measuring instruments.
Unfortunately, in many cases extensive air
quality sampling data is unavailable in the rural areas surrounding
an urban complex.
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STATE INDICATES DESIRE TO
HAVE A REGION DESIGNATED
~. ,
STATE PREPARES REPOHT PRO-
PQSING REGION BOUND,l.RIES
(NAPCA ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE),
CONSIDERING SUCH FACTORS AS:
ENGINEERING EVALUATION NAPCA PRU
... CONSUL TA-
. POLLUTANT EMISSIONS FEDERAL R
r-
. TOPOGRAPHY OF PROPOS
. METEOROLOGY STATE AN[
. MEASURED AND ESTIMATED LEVELS
OF AIR QUALITY
URBAN FACTORS EVALUATION
. POPULATION
. INDUSTRIALIZATION
. EXISTING REGIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
. JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARIES
<
t-'.
t-'.
t-'.
J'
n
E
1\
CONSU L T A TION
PARTICIPANTS:
...
p- APPROPRIATE FEDERAL,
STATE, AN D LOCAL
AUTHORITIES
...
NAPCA RECOMMENDS BOUNDARIES
- TO SECRETARY, DHEW
-S REPORT FOR
ON AND PUBLISHES
GISTER NOTICE
~. REPORT MAILED TO ... I,
-OCAL AUTHORITIES
SECRETARY, DHEW, FORMALLY
DESIGNATES REGION AND GIVES
NOTI CE BY:
. LETTER TO GOVERNOR
. LETTER TO GOVERNOR'S
OFFICIAL DESIGNEE
. FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE
. PRESS RELEASE
Figure 2. FLOW DIAGRAM FOR STATE-INITIATED AIR QUALITY CONTROL REGIONS.
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ix
The study of "Urban Factors" encompasses non-engineering
considerations.
It reviews existing governmental jurisdictions,
current air pollution control programs, present concentrations of
population and industry, and expected patterns of urban growth.
Other non-engineering factors are discussed when they are relevant.
As a whole, the study of urban factors indicates how large an air
quality control region must be in order to encompass expected growth
of pollution sources in the future.
It also considers which group
of governmental jurisdictions will most effectively administer a
strong regional air quality control program.
The conclusions of the engineering study are combined with the
results of the urban factors study to form the basis of an initial
proposal for an air quality control region.
As shown in Figure 2,
the proposal is then submitted to NAPCA for review and printing.
The report is mailed to State and local authorities in
preparation for the consultation between appropriate Federal, State,
and local officials.
After reviewing the suggestions raised during
the consultation, the Secretary formally designates the region with
a notice in the Federal Register and notifies the Governor(s) of
the State(s) affected by the designation.
Section II of this report and the proposal therein were prepared
by the Texas Air Control Board.
The report itself is intended to
serve as the background document for the formal consultation.
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x
THE FEDERAL PROPOSAL
The National Air Pollution Control Administration has reviewed
the proposal and supportive dissusion prepared by the Texas Air
Control Board.
NAPCA concurs with the findings of the Board and
proposes to include Bexar, Comal, and Guadalupe Counties in the
Metropolitan San Antonio Intrastate Air Quality Control Region.
The proposed Region satifies the three conditions discussed in
IICri teria for Determining Region Size".
Most air pollution sources
and receptors in the eight-county study area are located in Bexar,
Comal, and Guadelupe Counties.
The remaining five counties are
primarily rural.
The three counties in the proposed Region are
expected to register the greatest population growth of the study
area counties in the next few decades.
The National Air Pollution Control Administration
encourages the establishment of air quality control regions which
correspond to, or are o.ompatible with, existing State or locally
defined planning regions.
Such designation can be realized when the
air pollution problem area lies wholly within the boundaries of the
planning agency.
In the San Antonio area, the regional air pollution
ploblem was found to extend over three counties, one of which
(Guadalupe County) is not a member of the five-county Alamo Area
Council of Governments.
Establishing an air quality control region
which is coterminous with the jurisdictional boundaries of the
Council of Governments, therefore, becomes impractical.
The Texas
Air Control Board is encouLaged, however, to periodically review the
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xi
boundaries of the Region and to add areas which, through population
growth and industrial expansion, become part of the regional air
pollution problem in the future.
The Region proposed is consid(~red to be the best combination
of counties to adequately abate air pollution in the metropolitan
San Antonio area.
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SECTION II
Al'1ALYSIS AND PROPOSAL FOR THE METROPOLITAN SAN ANTONIO
INTRASTATE AIR QUALITY CONTROL REGION
BY THE TEXAS AIR CONTROL BOARD
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1
EVALUATION OF ENGINEERING FACTORS
INTRODUCTION
The engineering evaluation for the San Antonio area was based
on a study of topography, air pollutant emissions, meteorology, estimated
air quality levels, and available air quality data.
The emission inventory
indicated the location of point and area sources and the quantity of
pollutants emitted from these sources.
Emission densities were calculated
from the emission quantities and grid areas.
Emissions and average
meteorological data were used in a diffusion model to estimate air quality
leve ls .
Figure 1 shows the San Antonio Metropolitan Area in relation to
other metropolitan areas.
Figure 2 is a more detailed map of the eight-
county study area.
IDPOGRAPHYl
The San Antonio Study Area is located in the south-central portion
of Texas.
The central and southeastern region of Bexar County lies on the
edge of the Gulf Coastal Plain.
In this part of Bexar County as well as
most all of Guadalupe and Wilson counties the land is level to gently
rolling.
The Balcones Fault escarpment enters the northeastern part of
Bexar County and swings westward passing just north of the city of
San Antonio.
This section is characterized by rocky, hilly country along
the northern edge of Bexar County with rugged hills and low mountains
extending into Kendall County and rolling land throughout Comal County.
The upper one third of Medina County and the upper one fifth of Bexar
County along with the majority of Bandera and Kendall County form the
southeastern tip of the Edwards Plateau.
This plateau has a characteristically
-------
N
OKLAHOMA
~ . ARKANSAS
. Oklahoma City
flrnari 110
.
N Little Rock
. Lubbock
New j \
Mexico
Ft. wor~0~ras
LOUISIANA
TEXAS
Austin.
Mexico
o
......
100
200
.
300
----d
miles
Gulf of Mexico
Figure 1. Location of the San Antonio Study Area Within the State of Texas
-------
3
I---~,
, '" /"
I KENDALL >," ""
,
r- -- ""'-'''--l' ,/", /1.
II .... /- COMA L 'v "'''\.
BANDERA -~-""'--~ \ / l..
L_-.____-, /r £:;\.---//' \.'7/
I L I I BEXAR ',r .GUADALUPE
i-I ,,~/
i MEDINA i //(-- -(
i ~''- / WILSON )
I I" I "
L______-~ -'--<'" //
I ''\ /'
I , ,
I '<
I AT ASCOSA "
: //
L- ---- ------y/
miles
10 15
, I
5 0
~ ....
10 0
11.- ......
10
.
20
.
30
I
kilomcte~s
Deta"lled map of the San Antonio study area.
Figure 2.
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4
rough topography.
The lower two-thirds of Medina County, the southwestern
tip of Bexar County and all of Atascosa County are located in the Rio Grande
Plain in which the land is generally level to rolling prairie.
Figure 3
shows the geographic regions of the study area.
The eight-county area historically has been agriculturally oriented
with large stock ranches and farms located throughout the area.
Elevations
wi thin the eight counties vary from 300 feet to 1500 feet.
4
METEOROLOGY
The degree to which pollutants accumulate is greatly influenced by
the weather.
In the San Antonio area the normal state of the atmosphere
favors both vertical and horizontal mixing.
Stagnating anticyclones highly
favorable for prolonged air pollution concentrations are almost non-existent
in the San Antonio area.
San Antonio has a modified subtropical climate predominantly
continental during the winter months and marine during the summer months.
Normal temperature s range from the low 50' s to the mid 80' s.
Extreme high
or low temperatures are rare.
The growing season averages 282 days a year.
Average annual rainfall is 29 inche s.
The prevailing winds are southeasterly
averaging 9.3 mph.
Annual and seasonal wind roses for the San Antonio area are shown
in Figure 4.
Average mixing depths in meters for the San Antonio area are
shown in Table 1.
-------
5 0
...............
10 0
~...01
~
~
illlIIIIJ
CJ
CJ
5
,
I
I
I
L______-
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WILSON
* I
I='LORESV/Ll£
EI.389
."
10
,
1 ~
I
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I
I
I
I
I
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L_-_----
,
,
*
Jou~J/Jnt/Jn
£1. +,.
\.
AT ASCOSA
miles
10
,
20
.
30
I
lulometel"'1;
Edwards Plateau
Blackland Prairie
Post Oak Belt
South Texas Plain
Figure 3.
Geographic Regions of San Antonio Study Area
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8./ 1.,
\
1.8
,:4
3.'
0.4 4-./
0.5' 4.5'
0.7
'.f 5.,
5.° 13.2
9.5
".7
ANNUAL
12.0 12.7
12.1
7.+
5/1 I. 8 3.,
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1.5 ,5;3 1.8 3. +
(J.t> 2.2
1.8 '1.0 0.0 5./-
2.3 ().o .
J.7 7.3
'1..7
5;8 ".5
5.' "1.1 S:3
"1.2
WINTER
6
SC3.1e : 1" :: 1010
/3.'1
2tf.~
Figure 4.
Wind Roses for eight county study area
( numbers indicate 10 of time) .
SUMMER
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7
Table I
Winter Spring Summer Autumn Average
Morning 370 678 897 1595 1098
Afternoon 1065 1529 2108 2108
. The wind rose data and mixing depth information were utilized in
the simulation model for the eight-county study area.
EMISSION INVENTORY
The National Air Pollution Control Administration, in cooperation
with the State and local control programs, conducted an inventory of air
'pollutant emissions for the eight-county San Antonio study area.
The method employed was the Rapid Survey Technique for Estimating
Em. . 5
Community Air Pollutant lSS1ons. This technique provided estimates
of the total emissions for the following five pollutants:
sulfur
oxides; nitrogen oxides; hydrocarbons; carbon monoxide; and particulate
matter.
Sulfur oxides, total particulates and carbon monoxide are
considered in this report since they provide an indication of the
geographic extent of the air pollution problem.
Sulfur oxide levels and total particulate emissions illustrate
the impact of industrial processing activities from stationary sources.
Levels of carbon monoxide provide the best indication of the impact
of gasoline powered motor vehicles.
The eight county study area was divided into grid zones which
served as the basis for locating sources and reporting emissions.
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8
Figure 5 shows the grid coordinate system for the San Antonio
study area.
Major point source locations are shown in Figure 6.
Most
of the major point sources are located in Bexar County.
Figure 7 illustrates sulfur oxide emission densities for the eight
county study area.
Sulfur emissions are shown for Bexar County.
Figure 8
shows the particulate emission density for the study area.
Again, Bexar
County shows relatively high emissions of particulates.
Carbon monoxide emission
densities are shown in Figure 9.
Portions of Bexar, Bandera, Kendall, Comal,
Guadalupe, Medina, Atascosa, and Wilson counties show carbon monoxide emissions.
A summary of the emissions by source category is shown in Figure 10.
AJR QUAL ITY ANALYS IS
The geographical distribution of pollutant sources illustrates
the core of the prob lem area.
However, this does not elucidate the
extent of the influence of the pollution sources on the people and
the property located outside of the highly urbanized portions of the
San Antonio area.
A study of air quality levels known to occur is
useful in determining the area affected by the pollution sources and
thus subject to inclusion in the Air Quality Control Region.
Such
an analysis can be based directly on air sampling data in those
instances where the monitoring program covers a large enough area
and has been in existence long enough to provide a reliable pattern
of air quality throughout the region under study.
Since such comprehensive
air quality data rarely exists, it becomes necessary to develop
estimates of prevailing air quality.
Diffusion modeling is a technique
by which such estimates can be made based on the location and quantity
of the pollutant emis'sions and on meteorological conditions.
Topography
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9
2
3340000
"
......
i-
I
I
-~
,
'\
3320000
KENDALL
6
7 .
8
3300000
11
BANDERA
JO
13 - 14 --
116
I BEXAR..
~ 9 20 21 22'
17
18
/
/
,,/
28
29
\.
,-
3280000
I
GUADALUPE
/
I
30 31 32
MEDINA
50 51 52
57
-------
23 24 25 26
I 33 34 35 36 37 38 43
146 ,}9 40 41 42'
47 48 49
53 54 55
I
... /
............
""'" I
....
59
,
'\
,.
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WILSON
/
61
3220000
620000
460000
480000
500000
,
/
3200000
62 63 V
5 0 5 10\ 15 '
I . . I AT ASCOSA >
miles
/
10 0 10 20 30 //
!II. "" . . I
ki lometers -----
520000 560000
3160000
600000
Fi gure 5.
Grid Coordinate System For San Antonio Study Area.
-------
10
I---~,
, " /"
I KENDALL )"" ""
"
1- ", l' // '\ /1.
I "... /" COMAL 'v ~
, BANDERA y_.r?..-~-if'- \ ,,/ "t\.
L /1 S. .~/. 'I
-'-----L I ~ BEXAReAe '.r .GUADALUPE /
I - I ....?.., 0 I
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mile,$'
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k.:oo-....""""
1 0
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Icilomete,...:;
e Industrial
o Steam-Electric utility
'* Airport
<> Dump
. Gasolint: ;:;torage and Handling
FIGURE 6.
pon~"T SOURCE LOCATIONS WI'l'EI!' SAN ANTONIO STUDY AREA.
-------
BANDERA
--
)000
"
.....
--
MEDINA
3340000
I-
I
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-~
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KENDALL
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WILSON
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------ -
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5 (j
~~...
10 °
h,.- ~
10
.
ki lomoto..
480000
5
.
miles
10
.
15
I
20
.
SULFUR OXIDE EMISSIONS.
tons/mi2/avg. day
o
- 0.001
0.001 - 0.01
0.01 - 0.02
0.02 - 0.03
0.03 - 0.06
I I
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-----
'3160°00
.600.000
520000
~...!)ooo
Figure 7 Sulfur oxide emission density map for all sources in San Antonio study area, 1968.
,
11
3300000
,',,','....',
~
'-
3280000
I
:::-:::X:::
/
I
..
...
,
3220000
620000
-------
12
""-
.....
BANDERA
--
--
440000
MEDINA :<
.',',','.','...',',",
"'"'''' .
3340000
r-
I
,
-~
,
'\
;y
~
/
3320000
KENDALL
3300000
....
\.'-
3280000
I
WI LSON
460000.
480000
-------
500000
3220°00
620°00
5 0 5 10 15
k.-"" ' . I
mile.
10 0 10 20 30
k..- -.... . . I
lei lometers
PARTICULATE MATTER EMISSIONS.
tons/mi2/ovg. day
- 0.001 I I
0.001 - 0.01 I> {«21
o
0.01 - 0.04
~
~
0.04 - 0.10
-
II1II
-
0.10 - 1.0
1.0
- 19.0
AT ASCOSA
,
y
,
'>
,
/
~
3200000
-----
'3160000
600.000
520°00
. 560000
Figure 8. Particulate matter emission density map for all sources in San Antonio study area, 1968.
-------
13
3340000
460000
480000
500000
I-
I
I
KENDALL
-~
,
"
>'
/
/
3320000
BANDERA
............
...... '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.
~j
3300000
--
--
440000
.
~1j1m~~1~1~1m~~~~1~~1j1~I
II
--------
"
3220000
620000
3200000
,
5 0 5 10 15
k..-..'" I , J
mil.s
10 0 10 20 30
k.~_.... ' . I
ki lometers
AT ASCOSA
------
CARBON MONOXIDE EMISSIONS,
ton ./m; 2/avg. day
520000
560000
3160000
600'000
0.01 ] I
0.01 - 0.05 r... ...1
0.05- 0.10-
0.10 - 1.0 IDIIIIIIIl
5.0 -
5.0 - 20.0 -
o
1.0
Figure 9. Carbon monoxide emission density map for all sources in San Antonio study area, 1968.
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14
Combustion of Fuels "(Stationary Sources)
0.5%
Refuse Disposal
1.0%
Combustion Fue 1
(Stationary Sources 0.5%
Refuse Disposal'
2.8%
Industrial Process
Emissions
0.0%
PARTICULATES
(128,700 tons/year)
SULFUR OXIDES
(2,110 tons/year)
Industrial Process Emissions
0.04%
Combustion of Fuels (Stationary Sources)
0.00%
Refuse Disposal
1.3%
CARBON MONOXIDE
(496,300 tons/year)
NOTE:
Swmnary of Air Pollutant Emissions - 1968
~Kfght County ~ 'S~ iA~
This information represents data on specific air pollutant emissions
gathered during the rapid survey for the major point sources shown in
Figure 6 andothe area sources. It should not be interpreted as representative
of air pollutant emissions for any specific location within the study area.
Figure 10.
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15
is reflected in the results of the model, but only to the extent
that it influences general meteorological conditions.
The diffusion model was applied for each of the three pollutants
for an average summer day, winter day and annual day. Since the
6
Martin-Tikvart model used in this study attempts to show long-term
rather than episodic air quality conditions, only average emissions
and long-term meteorology are considered.
The results of the diffusion
model are theoretical in nature and are not meant to show exact
concentrations.
The relative magnitudes and general shape of the
contours, however, should be valid.
The outputs from the computer
model have been adjusted to reflect measured air quality data.
Figures 11 and 12 show these adjusted values for particulates and
carbon monoxide, respectively.
SUSPENDED PARTICULATE AIR LEVELS
The levels predicted by the diffusion model were generally
lower than the actual measured air quality data.
The theoretical
levels aid in delineating the affected area.
Figure 11 shows the
annual average distribution of particulate pollution.
Portions of
Bexar, Comal, and Guadalupe counties are shown to be experiencing
levels above background.
SULFUR OXIDE LEVELS
The absence of high sulfur content fuels and major processes
involving sulfur products eliminates the area-wide sulfur oxide problems
encountered in many other metropolitan areas.
Figure 7 indicates that
-------
16
I---~,
, ''\ A
I KENDALL '// '"
1- '--.''- l' ,/' "\ /"1.
I ... / COMAL 'v '\
, BANDERA y_.r£...-(-~~ \ ,. / ).\.
L--.-___-, /1 . // '1/
I L-I I BEXAR .r .GUADALUPE
I I 80 \. I
I ITY OF ",-,. /
I ~ TONIO . ~ -('
'I I ,- / J--
, MEDINA, /' "
I k, 4D /' WILSON )
I I """ ... I
L__-----~ -'~
! '~, ~'
I y'
i ATASCOSA ~'>
I /
L_--------V/
,.
/
/~
5 0
""'" '"
10 15
, j
miles
10 0
k..~_w
10
I
20
.
30
J
kdome'ers
Figure 11.
Annual Particulate Concentrations (~g)
mr
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17
the maximum sulfur oxide emission density for the San Antonio area is less
than 0.06 tons/square mile/day.
All ambient air monitoring for sulfur oxides
has shown levels of less than 0.005 ppra,
even on short-term averages.
Annual average concentrations of sulfur oxides are considered negligible
for the eight-county study area.
CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS
Since the primary source of carbon monoxide is the internal combustion
engine, the distribution of this pollutant tends to correlate with major
traffic patterns.
The influences of the interstate freeway system are
shown.
Bexar County is shown in Figure 12 to be experiencing the major
portion of the carbon monoxide pollution.
SUMMARY
The engineering evaluation of the eight county study area shows that
at the pre~ent time the major point sources are located in Bexar, Comal, and
Guadalupe counties.
Receptors in these counties are also shown to be
experiencing the major air pollution problems.
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18
I---~,
, " A
I KENDALL )/ ""'-,
r-- - - --"""'''''',l' /,/' CDMAL "\,/"\
I BANDERA _J£..- / ').
I ,1 /// "'')
L--.-___-, / I . /
I L-I I .r .GUADALUPE I
i ! . ,~ ,I
i MEDINA! /(-- -<
II h- / )'
~ WI LSON
I I
L______-~ "-
! ''\, ./
I y
i ATASCOSA ~'>
, /
L______---y/
"
/
/"
5 0
tJ.-...
5 10 15
I . I
mile'S
10 0
k...,.. ""'"
10
.
20
.
30
,
Irilome-fe-r-:;
Figure 12. Annual Garbon Monoxide -Concentratiens- (ppm)
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19
EVALUATION OF URBAN FACTORS
INTRODUCTION
A n'UJllber of urban factors are relevant to the problems of defining
the boundaries of air quality control regions.
These factors include the
location of population and industry, the population density, projected
growth of both population and industry, and jurisdictional considerations
such as control agencies and Regional Planning Commission.
These are all
important considerations since human activity is the initial cause of
most air pollution.
Humans are also the receptors affected by the pollution.
The projected growth patterns are most important for future planning purposes.
POPULATION
Table II shows the population growth for the study area from 1960
to 1968 with an overall growth of 23%.
Projections of population to the
year 2000 show that there will be almost two million people in the eight-
2
county area.
Currently more than 93% of the population for the study
area resides. in Bexar, Comal, and Guadalupe counties.
The remaining
7% is spread among the other five counties which are primarily rural.
Figure 13 shows the population density.
Bexar and Guadalupe counties
comprise the San Antonio Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area.
INDUSTRY
The eight-county study area is generally void of heavy industry.
Bexar, Comal, and Guadalupe counties contain the majority of the industry
in the study area.
Production and processing of cement, stone, clay,
petroleum and metal products are the major industrial operations in the
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20
7
TABLE II
AREA AND POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS FOR
SAN ANTONIO STUDY AREA
Land Area Population Population
Political Jurisdiction (sq. oni.) 1960 1968 Density (1968)
Atascosa County 1,206 18,800 21,200 17
Bandera County 763 3,900 4,400 6
Bexar County 1,246 687,500 861 ,000 691
Coma1 County 567 19,800 23,000 40
Gauda1 upe County 714 29,000 29,100 41
Kendall County 670 5,600 7,500 11
Medina County 1,352 18,900 21,000 16
Wilson County 802 13,300 14,400 18
Total Study Area 7,320 796,800 981 ,600 134
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21
3340°00
,-
I
I
3320 000
KENDALL
3300000
BANDERA
.
...
II
..
V
'>
"
/
"
3220000
620000
460°00
.480 000
500°00
3200000
5 °
~.'"
5
I
mil..
10
.
15
I
. ..........
.,...... ,............
. .,......... ...............
... ,........,...........,.....
.,..................."""""
..........- ....."............
.........." ..,.............,..
......,.............................
...,....................,...........
.,.........,......."...............
"........,......,.,...........- .
........,.................."'"
," .......................
.. .,.........,........-...
......,....................
.........................
. . . . .... . . .. ." ... .. .~...
....,. ..............,...
.. .
. ... '...:ATASCOSA:~
. ..
..
...
..
.... "
..."
......
..
....
.....
."
..
....
..
....
..-,
..
......
...
...,.
....
........ ..
........' .
."
. ...
...
."
..'
....
10 °
k..- ....
10
I
ki lometers
20
.
30
I
...
..
.....
...
..
..'
.....
...
....
...
....
...
..
..
.. ........ ......"............
. . . , . . . . . . . . . , . . . . .. .........
,... "_.:~.._...~..--'.'
3160°00
600000
POPULATION DENSITY,
person slm i 2
520°00
560°00
0-
5 I I
10 1'::»»:::1
5-
10 -
50
500 11IIIIIIII
500 - 5,000 ~
5,000 - 12,000 -
50 -
Figure l3.Population density for San Antonio metropolitan area, 1968.
1M
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22
San Antonio Metropolitan Area.
Table III shows selected manufacturing
establishments in the eight-county area.
REGIONAL PLANNING
The Alamo Area Council of Governments is the regional planning
agency for the area.
Five of the eight counties of the Alamo are~ including
20 cities and 10 school districts, make up the council which was formed in
1966.
Guadalupe, Kendall and Medina counties are not members of the Council.
Projects relating to urban and social planning as well as regional water
and sewer planning are in progress.
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCIES
The Texas Air Control Board is the State agency responsible for
air pollution control activities.
The Texas Clean Air Act provides for
equal enforcement of State Rules and Regulations by local governments
(cities, counties, and health districts).
The State Board has adopted
regulations relating to smoke and suspended particulate matter, outdoor
burning, sulfur compounds and toxic materials.
Enforcement provisions
allow both injunctive relief and civil and criminal penalty of up to
$1000 per day.
One local air pollution control program is organized in
the eight-county area with jurisdiction in San Antonio and Bexar County.
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8
TABLE III
SELECTED MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN
SAN ANTONIO STUDY AREA 1963
TYPE ESTABLISHMENT
Chemicals &
Establishments Food & Ki ndrcd Textile Paper & Petroleum Stone, Cl ay Metal
by Jurisdiction Products Products Printing Products & Glass Products Total
Atascosa -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Bandera -- 1 -- -- -- -- 1
Bexar 62 25 24 10 16 15 152
Carnal 1 3 -- -- 2 -- 6
Guadalupe 4 1 -- -- 1 1 7
Kendall -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Medina -- -- -- -- 2 -- 2
Wilson -- -- -- -- 1 -- 1
Total Study Area 67 30 24 10 22 16 169
N
W
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24
THE PROPOSED REGION
Subject to the scheduled consultation, The Texas Air Control
Board recommends that the Secretary, Department of Health, Education
and Welfare, designate an air quality control region for the San Antonio
Metropolitan Area, consisting of the following jurisdictions in Texas:
Bexar County
Comal County
Guadalupe County
As so proposed, the San Antonio Air Quality Control Region would
consist of the territorial area encompassed by the outermost boundaries
of the proposed jurisdictions.
The proposed Region is shown in Figure 14.
DISCUSSION OF PROPOSAL
To be successful, an air quality control region should meet three
basic conditions.
First, its boundaries should encompass most pollution
sources as well as most people and property affected by those sources.
Second, the boundaries should encompass those locations where industrial
and residential development will create significant air pollution problems
in the future.
Third, the boundaries should be chosen in a way which is
compatible with and even fosters unified and cooperative governmental
administration of the air resources throughout the region.
The "Evaluation
of Engineering Factors" (discussion beginning with page 1
) discussed the
first of the se conditions, and the "Evaluation of Urban Factors" (page
19) ,
the second and third.
The first consideration--that most air pollution sources and receptors
be within the Region boundaries--is satisfied by the proposed Region.
Major
point sources are located in Bexar, Comal and Guadalupe counties. Emission
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25
--
I---~,
I ''\
I
" I
'~,l
MEDINA
KENDALL
,
-'-----L_/
I
I
,
I
I
I
L_______J
,
I '\ /'
i 'v'
,
I ATASCOSA "-
: //
L-------- --v/
BEXAR
COMAL
-~-"'-"-\ /
~ ".., ~.;;/
\:;\..~ .GUADALUPE
8ANDERA
WILSON
,
)
//
'"
/
5 0
k.,...'"
:;
I
miles
10
I
15
I
10 0
~"""
1 0
I
20
I
30
I
kilom,de",
Figure 14. Proposed Metropolitan San Antonio
Intrastate Air Quality Control Region.
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26
densities of particulates, carbon monoxide, and sulfur oxides are
greatest in Bexar County.
The second consideration is directed towards future population
and industrial expansion.
Approximately 1,000,000 people live in the
proposed Region, which represents about 10% of the population of the
State.
Estimates for the year 2000 show approximately 2,000,000 people
in the eight-county area.
Of the eight counties, Bexar, Comal, and
Guadalupe will receive most of the growth during the next 15 to 30 years.
The third objective relates to governmental administration in
the area.
Regional planning is coordinated by the Alamo Area Council
of Governments which includes five of the eight counties of the study
area.
However, considering air quality control from a regional standpoint,
it does not seem justifiable to include all eight counties in the region
at the present time.
It does seem reasonable to assume that perhaps in the
future the air quality region will need to encompass all of the eight counties.
Therefore, for the present the counties of Bexar, Comal, and Guadalupe seem
to define the best region from an administrative viewpoint.
Based on the technical data presented on air pollutant emissions and
the resultant ambient air concentrations, only Bexar, Comal, and Guadalupe
need be a part of the region.
Jurisdictional considerations also indicate
that for the present these three counties will form the most cohesive region
in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.
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27
REFERENCES
1.
"San Antonio Metropolitan Air Pollutant Emission Inventory", U.S.D.H.E.W.,
P.H.S., C.P.E.H.S., N.A.P.C.A., June, 1969.
2.
"Texas Market Trends and Potential", #15, by Texas Industrial Commission.
3.
" u.S. Weather Bureau, Normal Surface Wind Data for the United States",
Washington, D.C., 1942.
4.
"An Evaluation of the Meteorological Potential for Air Pollution at
San Antonio, Texas", by Robert Orton, Weather Bureau State Climatologist,
Environmental Science Service Administration, Austin, Texas.
5.
"Rapid Survey Technique for Estimating Community Air Pollution
Emissions", PHS Publication No. 999-AP-29, Environmental Health
Series, USDHEW, NCAPC, Cincinnati, Ohio, October 1966.
6.
"General Atmospheric Diffusion Model for Estimating the Effects on
Air Quality of One or More Sources," Martin, D. and Tilwart, J.,
Paper No. 68-148, 61st Annual Meeting, APCA, St. Paul, Minnesota,
June, 1968.
7. ~opulation Estimates~ San Antonio Area Council of Governments, 1968.
8. 'County and City Data Boolt~ 1967, United States Department of Commerce,
April, 1967.
. u. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1969--395-976/17
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