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Carrizo Hill water board urges county to limit overnight 18-wheeler parking to protect aging pipelines
Summary
Carrizo Hill Water Supply representatives told commissioners that long-haul trucks parking on neighborhood streets are cracking sewer and water lines in places where pipes lie shallow; the court agreed to research easement records and seek legal counsel before considering an ordinance or permanent signage.
Representatives of the Carrizo Hill Water Supply asked Dimmit County commissioners to help prevent overnight parking of 18-wheelers on neighborhood streets that they say is damaging decades-old water and sewer infrastructure.
Mary Martinez, the utility board president, said some sewers and water lines in the Carrizo Hill area are more than 24—30 years old and are located only a few feet below the road surface. "Our water infrastructure is more than 30 years old in some of these areas," she said, and described a recent sewer break near the entrance to Carrizo Hill Drive. Martinez and Becky Owens, the utility—s office manager, requested either no-overnight-parking signs or an ordinance to keep heavy vehicles off easements that contain water and sewer lines.
Commissioners and county staff said easements for that system are recorded and suggested a short-term fix of posting "no parking" signs while legal counsel reviews whether a county ordinance is the correct step. County staff also said the sheriff—s office and code enforcement would help enforce any restriction if the court approves an ordinance. County legal staff recommended identifying recorded easements and working with the Carrizo Hill Water System to mark those areas.
The court tabled any ordinance motion and directed staff to research easement records, consult legal counsel and return with recommendations. A short-term signage or no-parking marking was discussed as an interim measure.
What happens next: County staff will pull recorded easements, coordinate with Carrizo Hill Water Supply to mark at-risk infrastructure, and consult legal counsel about ordinance language and enforcement options. The court did not adopt a permanent ordinance at this meeting.
