Laredo's politicians have seldom been known for being forward-looking. How else could the city's taxpayers be on the hook for mega million$$ for an empty arena while building an $18M new baseball stadium. It's hilarious that the baseball operators are already promising the exact type of events that are not even enough to fill up the calendar of one venue (LEA), much less too.
Well, the same lack of foresight applies to the city's lack of concern for our water resources. They have elected to sell millions of gallons of water the the fracking industry and have remained completely mute in regards to recent news that the Rio Grande is seriously contaminated by exorbitant levels of bacteria.
So it comes as no surprise that other towns, i.e. La Villa, Tx., put Laredo to shame when it comes to thinking about our environment and our future. I guess we shouldn't be that surprised that even much smaller towns such as La Villa are joining in to Eat Laredo's Lunch!
From The Brownsville, Herald
At a time when water is at a premium, there’s no sense in letting it go to waste.
That’s the mindset behind an innovative project taking root in the Delta, a community that bears the brunt of Hidalgo County’s flooding issues during heavy rains. But as the Rio Grande Valley heads toward a critical water shortage by 2050, plans are under way to recapture the water that fills the county’s drainage canals and treat it for municipal use.
The city of La Villa has developed plans for the Delta watershed and reclamation project, a 1,400-acre project that will limit countywide flooding, protect fragile ecosystems and act as an economic development tool. Built around a 350-acre reservoir that would capture drainage water, the project would also serve as an additional supply of water that otherwise disappears into the Laguna Madre.
“Fifty years from now, water will be precious. It will be worth more than gasoline,” said La Villa Mayor Hector Elizondo, whose city recently completed plans for the project he sees as an economic development boon for the Delta. “We need to capture the water because the city that controls the water is the city that is going to grow. We’re trying to prepare for the future.”
Read more at : http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/water-139913-reuse-root.html
City staff has talked about selling recycled water (effluent) to the county golf course, energy companies, and construction contractors. But when you think about it, it's all for the sake of generating revenue.
ReplyDeleteIf they were totally concerned about conservation, we would be under water restrictions right now. They generate money through unlimited public water use, and then take that same water and sell it to somebody else.
Nobody's pushing home rain catchers, xeriscaping, and water conservation.
I applaud the efforts of those in the valley. At least they acknowledge the fact that water is a finite resource.
Exactamente! It's all about jobs, money, multiplier effect and more money. There is no conscience anymore. There used to be more important things than money but like the song says "Used to be's don't count anymore".
ReplyDeleteOf course this includes the seedy council, staff and mayor.