Laredo moves to bring water reclamation forward in $996m master plan
City of Laredo Utilities Department, Texas · Meeting date: September 21, 2026 · Published: September 23, 2026
Laredo has asked its Utilities Department to assess how water-reclamation strategies can be accelerated from the long-term phase of its Water Master Plan. The move comes as the city continues a nearly $1 billion programme of distribution, treatment, storage and transmission investment.
Key points
- Council approved a directive for staff to examine accelerating water reclamation from the plan's post-2033 phase and return with a strategic plan.
- The three phases of the Water Master Plan identify approximately $996 million of water-system investment, including $163 million in 2023-27, $311 million in 2028-32 and $522 million from 2033 onward.
- Utilities reported 38 active capital projects: 21 in water, 14 in wastewater collection and treatment, and three serving both systems.
- Current works include pipe replacement using pipe-bursting technology, a 36-inch Jefferson-Zacate transmission project, treatment-plant pump and discharge-line upgrades, and an interconnection between the El Pico and Jefferson water treatment plants.
Full report
Laredo City Council has directed management to investigate bringing water-reclamation strategies forward from the post-2033 phase of its adopted Water Master Plan, as the Texas city seeks to address persistent drought conditions while pursuing a wider capital programme approaching $1 billion.
The September 21 directive calls for the Utilities Department to assess acceleration of reclamation measures and return to council with a strategic plan. The Mayor said the city was still purging millions of gallons per month into drains and argued that reclamation should be advanced rather than retained as a longer-term measure.
The Water Master Plan is structured in three phases, according to the Mayor's presentation. Phase 1, spanning approximately 2023-27, totals about $163 million and focuses on strengthening existing infrastructure, including replacement of ageing water lines. Phase 2, approximately 2028-32, identifies a further $311 million and includes a major focus on secondary water. Phase 3, from around 2033, identifies approximately $522 million for major transmission infrastructure, additional pumping and storage, and water-security assets including at Lake Casa Blanca and other locations.
Utilities assistant director Gloria Perez-Avedra said the department currently has 38 active projects: 21 for water, 14 for wastewater collection and treatment, and three covering both systems. She said current work includes the first phase of pipe replacement using pipe-bursting technology, with a second phase moving forward.
Other projects include a 36-inch Jefferson-Zacate line from the Jefferson Water Treatment Plant to Zacate Creek and the Lion Booster Station. Perez-Avedra said a connection was completed successfully the previous week. The department is also pursuing a US Army Corps of Engineers-related phase to connect the El Pico and Jefferson treatment plants, intended to provide system redundancy in an emergency.
At Jefferson, the city is replacing high-service pumps and installing 30-inch and 36-inch discharge lines. The Manadas Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant was reported to be about 95% complete. Assessments of the El Pico and Jefferson plants, elevated storage tanks, a San Laredo booster station, leak detection, valve exercising, hydrant replacement, SCADA upgrades and real-time monitoring were also cited as active or planned measures.
Staff will provide council with a project list showing cost, delivery status and the funding needed to meet the plan's overall investment requirements, alongside its proposed approach to accelerated reclamation.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: City Council, City of Laredo Utilities Department