Laredo officials outline multi-pronged plan to reduce breaks, speed meter upgrades and pursue $57 million in low‑interest financing

LAREDO, Feb. 18, 2025 — City utility officials on Tuesday gave the City Council a detailed status report on water supply options and rehabilitation work and said staff will apply for a roughly $57 million Texas Water Development Board low‑interest loan to help fund a meter‑changeout program and a new pump station and elevated storage tank on the city’s south side.

The update, delivered by Buzz Fishger, interim executive director of the Utilities Department, laid out four near‑term priorities: faster repair and replacement of high‑break mains, targeted manhole and pipe inspections, a valve‑testing and replacement program, and meter modernization tied to an AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) customer portal that would allow residents to monitor usage.

Fishger said Laredo’s average daily production in 2024 was about 34 million gallons per day (MGD) with peak days near 44 MGD, while the city’s water rights from the Rio Grande total about 54 MGD. He noted wastewater treatment returns about 20 MGD to the river and called “beneficial reuse” an option staff will continue to study.

Why it matters: City leaders described the work as both a reliability and financial priority ahead of the summer season. Officials said modern meters and a customer portal would improve leak detection and customer service; valve and pipe work would reduce system losses and emergency repairs; and state low‑interest loans would reduce pressure on ratepayers to fund capital projects.

Details and timeline Fishger said designs for three initial water main replacements are complete and expected to go to bid in mid‑March. The department identified 69 mains with high break frequency; three are in the first bundle for bidding. A manhole rehabilitation contract will address roughly 450 high‑priority manholes and reduce collapse risk on critical conveyance lines. Fishger also said crews pump around a collapsed area on a 54‑inch sewer main while repairs are arranged.

On metering, Fishger said the department plans a full meter changeout (AMI) and that an adjunct customer portal would let residents see usage readings at regular intervals so they can detect unusual consumption quickly. He said AMI also aids leak detection and supports demand‑management tools such as staged surcharges during drought.

Grant and loan activity Fishger said staff plan to submit applications in response to state funding opportunities discussed during a recent Austin visit and specifically identified an approximate $57 million package: about $32 million earmarked for a multi‑year meter changeout and roughly $25 million for an elevated storage tank and a new pump station on the south side. He described the funding vehicle as a low‑interest loan program available through the Texas Water Development Board, not a grant, and indicated the city will specify projects when it files.

Regulatory and compliance items Fishger reported progress on the city’s lead and copper compliance work: he said staff have identified about 37,000 service connections whose plumbing materials remain unknown and that replacement work tied to main projects will clarify service material and reduce future lead risk. He also described a new in‑house wastewater lab plan to save roughly $120,000 a year by reducing outside laboratory fees.

Customer relief changes The Utilities Department plans a revised billing adjustment policy effective March 1 to give customers one eligible bill adjustment every two years for a verified leak event; the adjustment would reduce but not fully eliminate the marginal cost of the excess usage while requiring only a customer contact rather than immediate plumber verification.

Next steps and oversight Fishger said staff will bring designs to bid, proceed with the manhole and valve work, and file for the low‑interest loan opportunity. He and management said the city will return to the council with more detailed timelines and procurement steps as bids and grant/loan responses arrive.

Provenance: Laredo City Council meeting transcript, presentation segments by Buzz Fishger and city management.

Ending: City management said staff will return with a more detailed financing and procurement timeline for council review and will continue coordinating meter, valve and main replacement work to limit pavement disruption and maximize coordination with planned street paving.