Laredo utility staff reorganize water-quality work, tighten backflow enforcement and plan pipe, lab and meter upgrades

Utility staff reported a series of operational changes and near-term projects intended to strengthen water quality oversight and reduce system failures, telling an advisory committee that bacteriological sampling has been moved to the city’s water plant, backflow and cross-connection control will be enforced more aggressively after a TCEQ complaint, and at least 20 water mains are targeted for replacement this year.

The update, presented during a committee meeting in Laredo, outlined several interconnected efforts intended to improve public-health compliance and system reliability. Staff said the city will pursue certification of an in-house lab to shorten testing turnaround, expand a valve and main-replacement program, begin a four-year automated meter infrastructure (AMI) replacement, and absorb some stormwater functions into the utilities operation for operational synergy.

The cross-connection and backflow program drew immediate attention. Staff described a recent resident complaint that triggered a TCEQ review and said the city is now focusing on registering certified backflow testers, collecting annual test certificates, and following up when owners do not provide proof of inspection. Staff emphasized that backflow devices remain the property of building owners; owners are responsible for repairs and testing, and the utility will send notices and pursue compliance steps when certificates are missing.

Officials said the…