Del Rio’s Dire “Water Challenge”: City Explains Raising Water and Sewer Rates

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 Del Rio residents. Citizens attended a council meeting en masse to voice a message of adverse financial affect from the rate hike, proclaiming, “People simply cannot afford that,” and, “What you’re doing is unfair”, among other protestations from 14 residents who took the stand.

Then, just days later, the City discovered an administrative error made in the process of approving the rate increases. Legally, they would would have to return all of the money that was overpaid in October, which they did in the form of bill credit.

The City is now starting the process of increasing rates all over again.

A public hearing on Monday, December 1 aimed to address the need for water and sewer rate hikes by explaining “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 water infrastructure system that’s been in use in Del Rio since the 1930s. The video expressed concern about the sustainability of the infrastructure as well as the load capacity.

The City’s presentation then laid out the real stakes in no uncertain language, stating, “we may run short of water by 2040.”

The presentation went on to describe how the City plans to fund solutions. This includes pursuing grants, loans, possible enterprise fund transfers, and the unpopular increasing of the sewer and water rates. In April the City may use 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 City is going to be spending this money on three primary water infrastructure modernization projects:

1. A new well
2. Repairing the East Springs well wall, and
3. Retrofitting the San Felipe water filtration system.

In addition, the local government 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. Citizens suggested alternate ways the general fund could be subsidized to avoid taking money from the water fund.

A more personal sentiment came from now-private-resident Lee Weathersbee, who served as a City councilman from the mid-80s to the late 90s. Weathersbee told the City officials, “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.

Del Rio News Network’s best estimation says the water and sewer rates will be raised again on January 1st, 2026 after a vote by council in mid-December. 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.