Laredo moves toward new water source in Carrizo Sand Aquifer

Laredo officials have taken a first formal step toward a second major water source, signing a letter of intent to begin pursuing Carrizo Sand Aquifer water through JasperRuth Ranch.

The announcement came Wednesday at the Jefferson Water Treatment Plant inside the Laredo Water Museum. Officials said the proposal could ultimately bring water to the city through a pipeline of about 45 miles and supply up to 50 million gallons a day if the project is completed.

City leaders framed the move as part of a long-running effort to reduce Laredo's dependence on the Rio Grande and strengthen the city's long-term water security.

A first formal step

Mayor Victor Trevino said the city has spent years evaluating ways to diversify its water portfolio. The letter of intent does not lock in a final deal, but it opens the way for negotiations over access, infrastructure and the terms of a future agreement.

City Manager Joseph Neeb said Laredo and JasperRuth Ranch are expected to meet next week to begin work on a memorandum of understanding. He said the city expects the process to take about two years before agreements are finalized and the infrastructure is built.

Dean Davenport of JasperRuth Ranch said the talks have been underway for many years, suggesting Wednesday's announcement is the result of a long effort rather than a sudden shift.

Why the project matters

Laredo currently relies on the Rio Grande for its water supply, and recent reporting has shown city leaders warning that long-term planning is urgent. Officials have also been pressing for additional water options and greater resilience in the city's system.

The Carrizo Sand Aquifer proposal is being presented as one of the city's most significant attempts to secure a backup source. Local officials said that kind of supply could matter for future growth, utility planning and the city's broader water security.

U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar said the project could also help colonia communities that do not have reliable water service. That would extend the significance of the proposal beyond city supply planning and into the question of access in surrounding areas.

What comes next

The next immediate step is the MOU negotiation expected next week. City officials and JasperRuth Ranch will need to define how much water could be committed, who would handle infrastructure responsibilities and how the connection would be built.

Financing remains unresolved, along with the final contractual terms and the exact scope of any pipeline work. Officials have not said how much of the proposed capacity would ultimately be dedicated to Laredo.

The project also fits into a wider pattern of water planning in South Texas, where local leaders have been warning that limited reserves and dependence on a single source leave the city exposed.

For now, the city has only begun the process. But the letter of intent marks the clearest public step yet toward a potential second supply line for Laredo.