Laredo petitions state to study ‘endangered’ Rio Grande water source

Laredo petitions state to study ‘endangered’ Rio Grande water sourceThe Laredo City Council has approved a resolution urging the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to gather more data on its stretch of the Rio Grande. The move comes after the river, the city's only water source, was named one of the most endangered in the United States.

Laredo City Council approved a resolution requesting the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) study the 'mid reach' of the Rio Grande.

The river is the city's sole source of drinking water and was listed as the 5th most endangered in the US for 2025 by the American Rivers Network.

A TCEQ report indicates a lack of sufficient data to assess the river for its designated 'recreation use' quality standard.

Laredo officials hope the study will inform a state-supported management strategy to ensure future water security for the region.

The City of Laredo, Texas, will formally request that the state’s environmental regulator conduct a new environmental assessment of the Rio Grande, the city's sole source of drinking water. The city council voted on December 1st to send a resolution to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) after concerns were raised about a lack of data on the river's health. The resolution was brought forward by Council Member Melissa Sigaroa, who pointed to the river's recent designation by the American Rivers Network as the fifth most endangered river in the United States for 2025, citing 'extreme heat, prolonged drought and outdated infrastructure'. During the meeting, Sigaroa explained that the TCEQ’s own 'Texas Integrated Report of Surface Water Quality' identifies Laredo's section of the river as an area with insufficient data. While past state assessments have monitored parameters like bacteria and dissolved oxygen, Sigaroa noted a critical lack of information needed to fully assess the river for its designated 'recreation use' quality standard. 'What I would hope to do is still forward a resolution, but forward it to the TCEQ requesting that they do study the river and find the necessary data to determine what the parameters will be for the Rio Grande in Texas surface water quality standards,' Sigaroa stated. She noted that the state has identified that 'this stretch of the river is not studied sufficiently.' The city's goal is to compel the state to collect the data needed to address ongoing concerns, such as high bacteria levels, and to identify specific non-point pollution sources that may be impacting water quality. A comprehensive study would help determine if the river is meeting all state standards and inform a 'state supported management strategy' for the vital water source. Sigaroa also highlighted the impacts of drought and reduced flows, which can worsen issues like depressed oxygen levels and the spread of invasive aquatic weeds, further threatening Laredo's water supply. 'We need to take the next step and make sure that Texas Commission of Environmental Quality treat the stretch of the river like they do all the other bodies of water in the state of Texas,' she urged, emphasizing the need for a proper study 'so that we can begin to manage it properly for water security in our future.' The council approved the motion to send the resolution to the TCEQ.