Weslaco adopts updated water conservation and drought contingency plan, leaves surcharge details for rate study

The Weslaco City Commission on March 5 approved an updated water conservation and drought contingency plan that aligns with Hidalgo County's drought template and requirements from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Texas Water Development Board.

A representative from SWG presented the plan's key elements, including updated demand projections, water-loss accounting, and a six-stage drought contingency framework tied to reservoir storage levels. The presenter said combined storage behind regional dams equated to roughly 22 percent of total capacity at the time of the meeting and described stage-based curtailments that escalate as supplies fall (stages call for incremental reductions and, at higher stages, potential surcharges).

Commissioners approved the plan with a staff clarification: the proposed drought-related surcharge structure will be finalized after completion of an ongoing water rate study. Staff said the plan must be submitted immediately to satisfy filing deadlines; any future changes to surcharge levels would be adopted later by resolution once the rate study provides recommendations.

City staff and the consultant emphasized that the updated plan is required for regulatory compliance and for grant eligibility. The plan also notes opportunities for future work such as reclaimed-water projects and runoff recapture studies; commissioners directed staff to coordinate the rate study work and public outreach before adopting any drought surcharge changes.