Work continues to establish a secondary water source for Laredo

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) – The city of Laredo is moving forward with formalizing its relationship with Legacy Water Supply Corporation, giving it a seat at the table to help establish a secondary water source.

According to the Texas Water Development Board, Texas’ water supply is expected to decrease by 18%, and demand will increase by 9% by the year 2070.

The year may seem distant; However, plans to secure water sources require years of planning, something Laredo has in mind.

According to Laredo City Manager, Joe Neeb, “We looked at three units, Legacy Water being one. There was one from Val Verde County, and there was one that was a little further out. So we’re going through these secondary water sources.”

Some time ago, the Laredo City Council approved the city manager to serve on the board of the Legacy Water Corporation, in the new township, Talise.

Since May, the city has been engaged in a memorandum of understanding with Legacy Water Corporation, essentially creating a non-binding partnership with the potential to become Laredo’s secondary water source.

Neeb explained that in order to become a member, the city would have to negotiate terms to establish the relationship.

Note: “Once we’ve negotiated the contract, we’ll get back to you. It will establish our minimum and maximum amount of water, and then it will establish a dollar amount that we will adjust.”

Laredo City Councilwoman for District 3, Melissa Cigarroa, says this would be a piece of the puzzle in finding a way to meet Laredo’s water needs.

To mention: “Secondary water becomes very expensive to look further afield. The further you get from your city, the more expensive a secondary water source can be. I think the Talise development is a great opportunity because they are just outside our extraterritorial jurisdiction. “

The company plans to drill 42 wells that will deliver water at a cost but remains in the early stages of development with only 4 wells drilled, making it important to look beyond.

Cigarroa added, “We can’t rely on just one secondary water source. When we talk about diversification, we have to diversify to five or six or more water sources, and that’s just good practice. That’s how the city of Laredo can have water security for its future.” “

The council decided to task the Utilities Department and the Laredo City Manager with evaluating the department’s needs and determining whether it is necessary to hire consultants dedicated solely to finding alternative water sources for the community.

As of now, the City Manager is authorized to move forward with hiring a consultant if he and the Supply Department deem it necessary.

For more headlines, click here.