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Review Speeds Improvements to Wastewater Program in Colonias

Release Date: 9/28/1998
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

       The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) have acted quickly to improve the effectiveness of a program created to improve public health in colonias. Recommended changes included in an Inspector General's review of the Texas Colonia Wastewater Treatment Assistance Program (CWTAP) have been made.

        "Proper sewer collection and treatment is a vital service every citizen should be able to take for granted. But nearly 400,000 of our neighbors who purchased a piece of the American dream when they bought tiny houses in South Texas colonias cannot. EPA is working with the State of Texas to ensure that these families receive the basic services required to protect their health and preserve our environment," Regional Administrator Gregg Cooke said.

        Constructed in rural areas along the Mexico border, colonias often lack electricity, potable water and wastewater treatment. Funded by grants from EPA and State funds, CWTAP has completed five wastewater treatment projects in colonias. However, the Inspector General's review found that individual connection rates were lower than intended, undermining the protection offered by these new treatment systems.  

        The review determined that connection cost and the cost of installing plumbing fixtures prevented many families from connecting to new wastewater treatment systems. Also, CWTAP did not require connections and there was little follow-up to track connection rates or to enforce local connection requirements.

        Although State law exempts existing structures from complying with new connection requirements, poverty seems to be the primary reason households haven't connected to the new sewer systems. Connection rates were the highest in Del Rio where the city received a grant to pay for connection costs. EPA is changing its agreements with Texas so that funds from federal grants can be used to pay for individual connection and plumbing costs.

        TWDB had previously made changes to improve connection rates. These include developing more funding sources for connection costs, requiring that local agencies have enforceable mandatory connection requirements in place before receiving grants, monitoring connection rates during system construction, and working with local governments to ensure more timely enforcement of mandatory connections.

        Changes are already working. In Olmito where construction on a wastewater treatment system started in January 1997, 97 percent of colonia households have connected to the sewer system.

        EPA expects the program to continue improving and building upon its successes in providing a vital service to families in South Texas.