By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Water infrastructure projects have consumed a great deal of the Del Rio City Council’s time and attention over the past year, and during their last meeting on the year on Dec. 16, those projects again were front and center.
City Public Works Director Greg Velazquez presented the council with a detailed update on seven ongoing city water projects, several of which the city has deemed critically important, ranging from a major water pipeline replacement to the development of a new municipal well and the continued installation of automated water meters.
Velazquez told the council several representatives of the city’s contracted engineering firms, TetraTech and International Consulting Engineers (ICE), were also on hand to answer council members’ questions.
Velazquez first went over the Del Rio Water Pipeline Replacement Project Phase 2, for which the city is ready to seek requests for qualifications. (See separate story.)
After going over the pipeline replacement project, Velazquez went on to review one of the projects the city has deemed critical – the repair of the East Springs containment wall.
Velazquez said, “The engineers on this project is International Consulting Engineers (ICE), with the contractor to be determined. Estimated future cost is $1,961,980. The adopted budget is $241,965. We have the Texas Military Loan Revolving Fund pending closure.
“The funding source for this project is the Texas Military Loan Revolving Fund, and the city is currently in the process of closing this loan. The status of the project is 100 percent drawings completed. We have received those drawings, and we have reviewed those drawings, and we will be meeting with ICE tomorrow.
He noted the project is scheduled to be advertised for bids in March 2026, with construction scheduled to start in June 2026, and the construction end date for the last contract in December 2026.
Velazquez next turned to a second water infrastructure project that has been deemed critical by city staff – the development of a new municipal well.
Velazquez told the council, “The engineer is International Consulting Engineers (ICE), and the contractor is to be determined. The estimated future cost is $12,695,000, with Fiscal Year 2025-2026 adopted budget of zero, with Texas Water Development Board funds pending closure.
“The city is currently in the process of closing the loan with the Texas Water Development Board. The engineering feasibility report is 60 percent complete, and TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) permitting is in progress,” Velazquez said.
He said milestones for the project include completion of the well design, expected in July 2026; with Phase I well construction completion in October 2026, completion of the design of Phase II in August 2026 and construction completion of Phase II in November 2027.
A third critical project is the upgrade and expansion of the membrane racks at the city’s water treatment plant.
Velazquez said, “That is also under ICE, with an estimated future cost of $18,495,005, with $15,045,005 out of the Texas Military Loan Revolving Fund and $3,455,00 out of the Texas Water Development Board.
“The Fiscal Year 2025-2026 adopted budget is $1,087,376, pending closures, and the funding source is the Teas Military Loan Revolving Fund, and the city is currently in the process of closing out this loan.
“Status: The environmental documentation for the chemical exclusion has been submitted to the Texas Water Development Board and is currently under review.
“The milestones for this project include the funding approval in February, with 100 percent design completion, bid documents and bid advertisement will be August 2026. Hopefully to make the contract award in October 2026, with construction start date of November 2026, which will take us through a final close-out in December 2027,” Velazquez said.
Velazquez next moved on to the lead service line inventory.
Velazquez said, “The engineer is LGA, with the contractor to be determined. Estimated future cost is $1,180,000. The Fiscal Year 2025-2026 adopted budget is zero dollars; Texas Water Development Board pending closure, $590,000 in COs and $615,000 is grant-funded.
“The funding source is the Texas Water Development Board, and the city is currently in the process of closing out the loan: 51 percent is principal forgiveness, and 49 percent is low-interest loans. We have gone out for grants, and we have gone out for loans,” Velazquez added.
Velazquez then turned to the second water distribution line project on the list.
Velazquez said, “The engineer is not applicable. That is the city of Del Rio staff. . .Estimated project cost is $600,000. The Fiscal Year 2025-2026 adopted budget is $600,000. The funding source is the water fund.
“Our status is from East First Street and Cienegas Road,” Velazquez said.
The final project Velazquez presented is the automated meter infrastructure (AIM) – water portion.
Velazquez told the council, “The engineer is not applicable, and the contractor is Core & Main. Estimated future cost is $302,000, $240,000 inventory and $62,000 labor. Nine percent of the project. In Fiscal Year 2025-2026, the adopted budget is $300,000, and the funding source is the water fund.
“The status: In May 2025, it was determined the funding for the change order to complete the water portion of the project would be split between two fiscal years. City staff is scheduling a meeting with Core & Main to discuss next steps and the possibility of city staff completing the project in-house,” Velazquez said.
After Velazquez finished his presentation, Mayor Al Arreola asked if there were any questions.
Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez asked if the lead service line inventory would be conducted city-wide, and Velazquez said it was.
The council took no action on the update.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
