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San Antonio, TX – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), along with the North American Development Bank (NADB), announced the conclusion of the first phase of a study for the rehabilitation of the wastewater collection system in the Arroyo del Coyote basin and the initiation of the second phase, which covers the entire wastewater system in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. The study is being funded by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Project Development Assistance Program (PDAP) and implemented by NADB. The program provided US$120,000 for Phase I and is providing an additional US$95,000 for Phase II. 

“NADB has been critical to preserving, protecting and improving the environment and the quality of life for the U.S.-Mexico border region,” said Congressman Cuellar. “For this reason, I worked hard to secure additional funding for NADB so they can continue to expand their ability to improve the environment for border families. These studies and projects will be critical in improving the water quality of the Rio Grande River as well as the health of residents on both sides of the border. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I am committed to funding projects that build cleaner and healthier communities at the U.S.-Mexico border.”

The objective of these studies is to reduce the amount of untreated wastewater flowing from Nuevo Laredo’s sewer system and the Arroyo del Coyote basin into the Rio Grande. The study is also assessing the areas of Nuevo Laredo where the wastewater collection system needs to be rehabilitated, as well as unserved areas, which will help improve the overall system.

The cost of implementing Phase I of the Arroyo del Coyote wastewater collection system project is estimated at US$5.5 million. Phase II of the study will identify necessary improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment system and will determine the estimated cost for this portion of the project.

Implementation of the comprehensive wastewater collection and treatment project could be partially financed by the Border Environment Infrastructure Fund (BEIF), which is also funded by EPA and implemented by NADB, as well as by CONAGUA, the Government of Tamaulipas through CEAT and COMAPA-Nuevo Laredo. The project will be considered for approval this year, with construction potentially starting in 2021.

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