Laredo moves to bring water reclamation forward in $996m master plan

Laredo moves to bring water reclamation forward in $996m master planLaredo 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.

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.

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.