Background
Approximately 98% of homes are connected to the wastewater collection system, which is divided into three main areas, known as El Coyote, Ribereño and Alazanas. Severa sewer mains and lift stations have reached or exceeded their useful life and are in immediate need of repair or replacement. Most of the pipelines are 30 years or older and have deteriorated resulting in sewage leaks and spills in various areas of the city and into streams and ditches that eventually empty into the Rio Grande River. In addition, about 150 homes in the western areas o the Independencia Nacional, San Roberto and Ampliación Vamos Tamaulipas neighborhoods do not have access to the sewer system. Residents dispose of their wastewater through failing or inadequate on-site sanitary systems, increasing the risk for ground and water contamination.
Nuevo Laredo has three wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) with a combined design capacity of 36.1 million gallons a day (mgd); however, due to the poor conditions of the facilities, actual treatment capacity is currently limited to about 18.3 mgd. The city currently generates an average of 30.5 mgd of wastewater; therefore, an estimated 12.6 mgd is being discharged without treatment to streams that eventually flow into the Rio Grande River.
Nuevo Laredo, through its water utility COMAPA, has developed a comprehensive project to address critical deficiencies in its wastewater collection, conveyance and treatment infrastructure. In August 2023, the Government of the State of Tamaulipas, the Municipality of Nuevo Laredo, COMAPA, the Mexican National Water Commission (COANGUA), both the Mexican and U.S. Sections of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC/CILA) and NADBank, signed a Commitment Agreement to take steps to expedite the funding for this comprehensive wastewater project.
Project Scope
The project consists of the rehabilitation and expansion of the wastewater collection system and two treatment plants, including:
- Replacement and/or installation of 17 miles of sewer lines and force mains.
- Rehabilitation of five lift stations and expansion of one lift station.
- Installation of approximately 150 new connections, including closure of any on-site disposal systems.
- Rehabilitation of the International WWTP in two phases.
- Rehabilitation and expansion of the Northwest WWTP, including upgrading its treatment process.
Benefits
The project will eliminate untreated wastewater discharges and prevent the potential contamination of groundwater and surface water, including the Rio Grande River, directly benefitting the entire population of Nuevo Laredo, as well as communities downstream on both sides of the border that depend on the river for drinking water. In addition, the collection system will be extended into three neighborhoods to provide first-time service to approximately 150 homes. The improvements to the treatment plants will increase overall operational capacity to 36.6 mgd, upgrade the treatment process to comply with new regulatory requirements and provide sufficient capacity to meet estimated demand for treatment over a 20-year planning horizon.
