Rio Grande Cities Facilities Plans

1. Purpose and Objectives: The goals of this project are as follows: 1.) (Oct. 1996) Hold binational meeting to present Master Plan information for Ojinaga. 2.) (Nov. 1996) Receive final evaluations of data for Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuna. 3.) (Win. 1996) Receive final evaluations of data for Reynosa and Ojinaga. 4.) (Sum. 1997) Completion of Facility Plans for four Rio Grande Cities. The purpose of this study is for the planning and design of wastewater facilities to control wastewater discharges from Mexico into the Rio Grande-Rio Bravo.

2. Funding: In accordance with the Appropriations Act of 1995, EPA awarded $10 million in January 1995 to the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC).

3. Partners: EPA’s primary contact will be the U.S. Section of the IBWC; however, the Mexican section of the IBWC will participate as will the National Water Commission (CNA) in Mexico.

4. Description: The U.S. section is coordinating an EPA Region 6 program to complete facilities planning for wastewater collection and treatment systems in the communities of Reynosa, Tamaulipas; Piedras Negras, Coahuila; Ciudad Acuna, Coahuila; and Ojinaga, Chihuahua along the Rio Grande. Mexico has developed Master Plan documents for the communities. The documents were completed a number of years ago and may not reflect recent changes. Mexico is updating these documents and preparing project packages for wastewater elements. The Facilities Planning Program would integrate the Master Plan and project elements into a single comprehensive Facilities Plan, which addresses the wastewater collection and treatment requirements for the community. The plan will address technical, environmental, public participation, and financial issues related to these projects. The plan will be used to develop specific projects packages to address the wastewater needs of the community. These packages will be submitted to Border Environmental Cooperation Commission (BECC) for certification and funding through the North American Development Bank (NADBank).

5. Status: The A-E firms have been selected for each project; the contracts have been awarded; the first task orders have been approved for each of the four projects; and the notices to proceed have been issued to the A-E firms.

6. U.S. Contacts: Oscar Cabra, EPA Region 6, (214) 665-2718 Terry Turner, EPA Region 6, (214) 665-7182 Armando Roam, IBWC, (915) 534-6700