After Nearly Two Decades, Del Rio’s Northside Sewer Project Moves Toward Construction

DEL RIO, Texas — A major wastewater project years in the making is moving closer to construction after the Del Rio City Council approved a contractor for Phase One of the Northside Sewer Line Project.

The project is intended to address sewer-capacity constraints affecting northern Del Rio and provide additional infrastructure needed for future development.

During the Sept. 22 City Council meeting, Tetra Tech civil engineer Suleiman Nasser told council that Phase One will install approximately 1,940 feet of 33-inch wastewater pipe and 4,660 feet of 30-inch pipe, along with 31 new manholes and 39 service laterals.

Nasser described Phase One as the more urgent portion of the project because of existing capacity constraints.

The construction area begins near Karen Street, continues through easements along the Union Pacific Railroad and extends toward Frontera Road.

The city received seven contractor proposals after advertising the project in May. A review committee made up of City of Del Rio staff, Tetra Tech engineers and STV engineers evaluated the proposals.

The selection was not based solely on price. Half of the scoring was based on cost, while the remaining 50 percent considered qualifications, experience and contractor reputation.

City Council ultimately approved the Phase One construction contract during the Sept. 22 meeting.

The project must still proceed through the Texas Water Development Board process before construction begins.

The current schedule calls for work to begin around December 2026, with construction expected to take approximately two years and conclude around December 2028.

Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez said the project has been discussed for nearly two decades and described it as important to continued development on Del Rio’s north side.

“This has been in the works probably close to 20 years.”

Chavez said Phase One has secured funding, while a future Phase Two will require additional funding before moving ahead.

For residents, much of the work will eventually be underground, but the larger sewer line is intended to increase wastewater capacity and support future homes and businesses in northern Del Rio.