Laredo council approves legal protection for groundwater and backs continued regional water initiative review

The Laredo City Council on June 19 approved two measures intended to protect and advance the city’s long‑term water supply strategy. First, council authorized the city manager and city attorney to take actions to preserve Laredo’s groundwater interest in connection with Groundwater Management Area (GMA) 13 proceedings and to expend up to $35,000 on legal, technical and related professional services. Second, the council recognized a regional water development initiative and directed management to continue due diligence, negotiation and coordination with regional partners while returning any binding agreements to the council for approval.

City management said the initiatives are part of a long‑term strategy to diversify Laredo’s water portfolio beyond the Rio Grande. Staff described three interlocking agreements under consideration — a regional economic development and infrastructure cooperation agreement, a multi‑party agreement that would assign roles and responsibilities, and a wholesale water purchase agreement that would set commercial terms if the project moves forward.

Management emphasized the proposal is intended to preserve flexibility and protect legal interests while technical and commercial issues are finalized. Staff reported Laredo currently relies primarily on the Rio Grande and uses about 39 million gallons per day on average, with capacity to increase if diversification steps are taken; staff also said the region’s available groundwater acre‑feet allocation is small under current GMA 13 assumptions, which could raise costs if left unaddressed.

Council passed both items by voice vote. The motions included direction that any binding commitments or major financial obligations must return to the council for final approval.