LAREDO, Texas — City utilities staff on Nov. 13 described multiple initiatives to bolster water-supply resiliency, from a blending study with a groundwater source to treated-wastewater reuse and a Corps‑funded interconnection of treatment plants.

“We produce 23,000,000 gallons of treated wastewater of excellent quality,” Dr. Keith told the advisory committee, explaining the city is evaluating whether to store or blend treated effluent as an emergency backup if the Rio Grande becomes temporarily unusable. He also said an agreement has been signed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to support a roughly $26,000,000 project to interconnect the Altaico and Jefferson plants so one plant can sustain flow if the other goes offline.

Staff said the city signed a study agreement with a private partner (referred to in the meeting as Legacy) to examine blending groundwater — reported in the transcript as about 1,700 (unit not specified) — with Rio Grande water (about 600, unit not specified) and to determine the right mix and treatment needs. The working group for supply diversification is headed by the assistant city manager, Ramon Chavez, the city engineer and department staff.

Lake Casablanca was discussed as a possible storage and emergency source. Committee members raised environmental concerns, including dredging impacts, turbidity and fish habitat, and were told permitting and state-level regulator engagement would be required because the lake sits within Texas state park jurisdiction.

Committee members also noted the international dynamics of sharing water along the Rio Grande; staff said agricultural water demand between the U.S. and Mexico complicates expectations that returned treated water will remain in U.S. channels.

Next steps: staff will advance the Legacy blending study, continue consultations with state regulators about Lake Casablanca options, and advance Corps-supported interconnection planning; the working group will report back to council and the advisory committee as studies progress.