Making a Visible Difference in Communities: Texas
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Colonias & Unincorporated Communities in Texas
In Texas, there are 555 Colonias without adequate road paving, drainage or solid waste disposal. An additional 337 lack access to potable water, adequate wastewater disposal, or are un-platted. This equals to 153,842 people experiencing infrastructure challenges that could lead to serious environmental health risks. EPA is working side by side with state, federal, local and NGOs in creating strategic /implementation plans to address drinking water and waste water issues; flood-related septic tank challenges; emergency preparedness; and superfund outreach and public engagement challenges. Current activities include:
Cyndie Park II, TX
This neighborhood in Nueces County, Texas has approximately 50 residents, all of whom rely on private wells for their drinking water. Water from these wells exceeds the national standard for arsenic. EPA is working with the community and the state to remove arsenic from the wells and provide the residents of Cyndie Park 2 and surrounding neighborhoods with long-term source of safe drinking water.
Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) Colonias – Including Alamo and Donna
EPA is working with community leaders representing 14 colonias, NGOs, local, state and federal partners to address:
- a malfunctioning wastewater facility
- the cleanup, enforcement and public awareness needs related to the Donna Canal Superfund Site
- designing an enhanced strategy to better prepare colonia residents for man-made or natural disasters
- a septic tank initiative
Action plans have been created and are being implemented. The work of this group gets media attention through the outreach work of community and youth volunteers.
The North Alamo Water Supply Corporation provides drinking water to an area located just northwest of the City of Donna in Hidalgo County, Texas. Residents in the identified colonias of:
EPA and community leaders tackling environmental challenges along the U.S. – Mexico Border.
- Alberta Acres
- El Charro #2
- Isaac’s Subdivision
- L.J. #1
- Muniz Subdivision
- Tower Road Estates
currently face significant health risks due to overflowing and non-functioning septic tanks during times of wet weather and flooding exacerbated by high water tables. EPA and its partners are working with the North Alamo Water Supply Corporation to develop a sanitary sewer system that:
- assesses the problem
- identifies priority areas
- implements a training program and builds a collaboration of assistance providers to help economically-stressed residents
The program will be piloted in one county and replicated in other counties with heavy septic tank use. The work plan is currently being developed and state and county officials have provided input.
EPA and its partners are also working with the North Alamo Water Supply Corporation to develop a sanitary sewer system. When completed, the project will result in an estimated 471 new domestic sewer connections benefiting a population of 1,680 residents.
Sand Branch - Dallas County
EPA is currently facilitating conversation between
- Dallas County
- USDA
- FEMA
- COE
- TCEQ
- community leaders
to explore drinking water and wastewater options for an unincorporated community with about 40 residents that sits in a floodplain. EPA has examined past failed efforts, has brought additional players to the table, and will be leading discussions to come up with a joint agreement to what is and what is not going to be possible because of the community’s location.