City Discusses Water & Sewer Rates and Del Rio’s “Water Challenge” at Public Hearing

As the City of Del Rio describes a dire need to modernize aging water infrastructure, it is almost guaranteed that the water and sewer rates will be going back up on January 1st, 2026.

DEL RIO, TEXAS — Back in October, water and sewer rates were raised and met with immediate backlash from the Del Rio community. Citizens attended a council meeting en masse to voice a message of adverse affect from the rate hike, saying, “People simply cannot afford that,” and, “What you’re doing is unfair.”

Then, just days later, the City discovered an administrative error in the process of approving the rate increases. This meant they would would have to return all of the money that was overpaid in October, which they did in the form of bill credit. Now they are now starting the process of increasing rates over again.

A public hearing on Monday, December 1 was meant to address the need for water and sewer rate hikes and to explain “Del Rio’s water challenge”, as told by an informational video presented by city council members, including city manager Shawna Burkhart. The video described an aging, strained system that has been around in Del Rio since the 1930s, and expressed concern about the sustainability of the actual infrastructure as well as the load capacity, saying “we may run short of water by 2040.”

The presentation went on to describe how they are going to be funding solutions, which includes pursuing grants, loans, possible enterprise fund transfers, and increasing the sewer and water rates. In April the City will also be able to use some funding from the International Bridge’s tolls and be able to redirect those toward the water fund. These efforts mean the City is trying to diversify the revenue streams that are being utilized.

The video presentation explained what the city is going to be spending this money on, which are three main water projects: a new well, repairing the East Springs well wall, and retrofitting the San Felipe water filtration system. In addition to that, they will be replacing most of the sewer lines underground.

After the video’s breakdown of the situation, citizens were able to provide comments.

One of the major concerns was the appropriation of money generated by these increased rates, which the City says will be going to the critically needed well and sewer projects. But, as indicated in the approved 2025-2026 fiscal year budget, there are multiple millions of dollars that will be pulled out of the water fund and transferred into the general fund to cover overhead costs. Many of the citizens provided suggestions as to alternate ways that the general fund could be subsidized to avoid taking money from the water fund.

A separate sentiment came from Lee Weathersbee, who served as a city councilman from the mid-80s to the late 90s, who said, “We cry when we come home and see our yards bare because we can’t afford [to water them].” He was concerned about how these increased water rates will affect quality of life.

By Del Rio News Network’s best estimation, the water and sewer rates will be going back up on January 1st, 2026. But based on the information the City received from this public hearing and future public hearings, they will be revising and reconsidering the actual implementation process. Citizens have two more opportunities to participate in the public discussions about water and sewer rates in hearings scheduled for December 12 at the Del Rio Civic Center and December 16 at Council Chambers. A final vote by City council will take place on the 16th.