City of Laredo provides update to avoid boil water notice

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A water infrastructure improvements master plan is in the works for the City of Laredo.

On Monday, November 4, Laredo's Mayor and city leaders revealed a map that outlined what water lines need to be changed and the steps to avoid another boil water notice.

Laredo City Manager, Joseph Neeb, said that they identified 30% of water pipes are old and need to be replaced.

Neeb adds that this could cost them close to $175 million if all the lines were to be replaced.

"We will be allocating funding from our internal services, we will allocate funding over to that. We will be seeking some grants and low-interest loans through the water development board or the federal government," Neeb mentioned.

The city showed a map with all water lines identified and ranked via three color categories.

The first is red which means the lines need to be replaced due to too many line breaks. Next is yellow and orange which means they can be replaced in a few years.

City of Laredo Mayor, Dr. Victor Trevino, said they have yet to find the exact source that caused the most recent boil water notice.

"It's in the central part of the City of Laredo. A specific address cannot be identified and it's probably multiple sites this has to do with aging pipes. It has to do with illegal connections and lack of personnel inspecting the valves," Trevino noted.

To actually carry this plan into fruition, they will need to hire more people.

Currently, the City of Laredo has 55 job openings in the Utilities Department. Neeb says they are searching to add qualified people to the Water Utilities Department.

It was revealed they have 10 to 14 engineers and inspectors city-wide when they are supposed to have close to 25.

"I don't believe it's enough to put our application out there and say 'Please come work for the City of Laredo.' HR and utilities are preparing to go out to the University where the engineering schools are. We are going to the professional associations where we can find quality employees and bring them to complement our system," Neeb added.

Neeb will be hosting town hall meetings to speak to the public about the water issues that the city faces.

The first meeting is set to take place on November 7 at the Haynes Recreation Center located at 2102 Clarks Crossing Dr.

The meeting will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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