Nogales advances Nogalitos water-main replacement as it pursues $4m NADBank programme
City of Nogales, Arizona · Meeting date: November 4, 2026 · Published: November 6, 2026
Nogales expects to complete an in-house replacement of 600 feet of pipe in the Nogalitos area by November 20 after repeated failures on ageing infrastructure. The city is also working with the North American Development Bank on a proposed $4 million area-wide project, with a potential $2 million bank contribution.
Key points
- City crews are replacing 600 feet of pipe at a rate of about 60 feet a day after at least 15 breaks in the affected street during the year before the current public works director arrived.
- Materials were ordered in September and arrived in October; sewer operations staff were reassigned to support the water work.
- Nogales said labour, materials and other costs from the in-house work could count toward the city's contribution to a proposed NADBank-funded $4 million Nogalitos programme.
- NADBank is expected to match $2 million if the city provides the remaining $2 million, according to the project update.
- Residents are being notified a couple of days before planned daytime water shut-offs; final road restoration is expected to be strip paving because the work extends to the sub-base, main line and laterals.
Full report
Nogales is moving to replace 600 feet of water pipe in the Nogalitos area after repeated failures on ageing infrastructure, while using the emergency work to support a larger proposed $4 million renewal programme with the North American Development Bank (NADBank).
Public works told the council that persistent leaks in the area became evident in September. The affected street had experienced at least 15 separate breaks in the year before the current director joined the city, making a short-term intervention necessary despite the city pursuing a longer-term project for the whole Nogalitos area.
The city ordered pipe in September, received it in October and elected to perform the work with its own crews. Sewer operations staff were reassigned to assist, allowing the team to install about 60 feet a day. The work covers 600 feet of pipe and is expected to be completed by November 20.
The city said it has encountered multiple issues during construction but described progress as consistent. It is carrying out the work during the day and notifying affected residents a couple of days in advance of water shut-offs.
Once pipe replacement is complete, the city intends to undertake strip paving rather than full-street resurfacing. Public works said the excavation reached the sub-base and included the main line and laterals, while funding is not yet available for full reconstruction of the street.
The immediate works are also being positioned as part of Nogales' financing strategy for wider renewal. Officials said NADBank is interested in projects in Nogales and could match $2 million toward a $4 million overall Nogalitos project if the city supplies the other $2 million. City labour, materials and other costs associated with the in-house replacement are expected to count toward the municipal match.
Alongside the NADBank discussions, Nogales is preparing an updated capital improvement plan. The city said the plan is intended to replace an outdated existing programme and to align projects with its budget. Officials said maintaining a coverage ratio of 1.2 to 1.25, stabilising the Water and Sewer Funds, and developing a credible capital plan would be important for securing further Water Infrastructure Finance Authority financing.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: Mayor and City Council - Nov 04, 2026, City of Nogales