Water

The coastal city also has been trying for years to develop a seawater desalination plant, but its efforts have lagged as big, thirsty industries continue to locate nearby and a five-year drought persists.

Non-profit, public policy organizations including Texas 2036 and the Texas Water Association have made water infrastructure one of their priorities this legislative session.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire said the exchange could help fund fixes to the city’s water system.

A new study suggests a link between high levels of fluoride and lowered IQ. It's heating up arguments over fluoridating drinking water, which dentists say is critical for protecting teeth.

Fluoridating the public water supply has been common practice for nearly 80 years in the U.S. It's an acclaimed public health intervention that helps prevent cavities. For just as long, some have raised concerns about the practice that can veer from evidence-based to unsubstantiated conspiracy.

The offer would allow communities in the Valley to use water from Mexico's San Juan River, a tributary to the Rio Grande.

The meter will also watch for leaks. The city-owned utility plans to replace all meters by the end of 2025 — about 610,000 in total.

The notice for Laredoans enters its second week after E. coli bacteria was detected in the municipal water supply.

The water-sharing systems between Mexico and the U.S. are facing one of the biggest tests in their 80-year history after Mexico has fallen behind on billions of gallons of water deliveries.

The utility’s budget for 2025 would be just over $1 billion – an increase of about 6% from this year.