After 9 Years and $12 Million, These Towns Still Don’t Have Drinkable Water

Local residents say a water plant that was built to make their tap water safe is not doing its job.

By Rhonda FanningAugust 20, 2015 4:13 pm

There’s something in the water down in Webb County, along the Texas-Mexico border, and residents of the community say it’s not good.

For years, folks living in two small communities – Rio Bravo and El Cenizo – have been told not to drink their tap water. But in 2006, the towns saw hope when the Rio Bravo Water Treatment Plant opened. With a price tag of $12 million, one would think the county’s water woes would finally be over.

But that’s not the case.

Neena Satija covers environmental issues for the Texas Tribune. She spoke with the Standard on why the situation hasn’t improved.

For the full interview, listen to the audio at the top of the page.