Drop of Knowledge

Colonias are defined as a geographic area located within 150 miles of the Texas-Mexico border that has a majority population composed of individuals and families of low and very low income (taken from https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/cdbg-colonias/colonias-history/). While Colonias in Texas may have an unfortunate negative connotation due to their residents’ poor quality of life along the border for many years, the term “colonia” is not a negative term in Mexico. It is simply the term for an area or neighborhood in which they live.

Some families living in the Texas Colonias lack safe housing and essential services such as potable water, adequate sewage systems, drainage, utilities, and paved roads. Living conditions are often compared to underdeveloped countries. Colonias present one of the most critical housing needs in Texas, because many of the houses in the colonias were constructed mainly of scarce materials. Professional builders were rarely used, and residents frequently started with makeshift structures of wood or other materials. As finances allowed, they continued to improve their homes.

Resources from local, state, and federal agencies have positively impacted colonias in areas such as Hidalgo County, Texas. Thanks to many legislative updates and progressive actions of local leaders, Hidalgo County has eliminated the lack of adequate potable water in the colonias and has begun focusing on a better quality of life, including economic and social development.

One of the many positive programs currently helping improve the quality of life in colonias is placing streetlights within the community. Section 280.003 of the Texas Transportation Code allows for the placement of streetlights along a county road in a subdivision located in an unincorporated area in any territory within 150 miles of the US-Mexico border. Hidalgo County can require this basic service via their Model Subdivision Rules. Colonia residents are benefiting from a simple but effective solution for crime deterrence.

In 2018, North Alamo Water Supply Corporation began providing first-time wastewater for colonias north of Donna, TX as part of a multi-phase project, it became the first regional wastewater plant. Geographically, colonias have usually been north of Expressway 83 as communities were first developed south of this highway. As years progressed, cities could not cover the expenses to build or bore a wastewater line under the expressway. Thanks to funding from the US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development (USDA, RD), Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), and the North American Development Bank (NADBank), North Alamo Water Supply was able to complete a $14.9-million-dollar project and provide services to 400 homes. Additionally, this project allowed Donna Independent School District to build a state-of-the-art high school, Donna North High School, in the center of all the colonias. Donna North High School has proven to greatly benefit the next generation of students, as they now have an educational resource that was once deemed impossible. The completion of this first-time wastewater collection system has allowed businesses to open in colonias, improving economic development that has been lacking for decades.

Colonia residents and its leaders would agree that there is still plenty of work. Still, much has been accomplished, and the quality of life has drastically improved. History has taught that the resiliency of colonia residents will continue to “flush-away” any issues they may continue to face.

As the site of Francisco “Pancho” Villa’s 1916 raid into the United States and the base of President Woodrow Wilson’s “Punitive Expedition” into Mexico led by General “Black Jack” Pershing, few communities have more historic ties to Mexico than the Village of Columbus. Located three miles north of the US-Mexican border and its sister city of Palomas, Mexico, this community of approximately 1,500 residents has seen growth in tourism and economic activity in recent years due in part to its unique setting. Continued development of the port of entry at the US-Mexico border is expected to further enhance economic activity.  

Despite these trends, this largely Hispanic community faces water and sewer system infrastructure challenges common to rural communities throughout the United States. In April 2022, the Village’s Public Works Director, Robert Gomez, reached out to Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) to conduct a sewer rate study. The purpose of the study is to develop fair and sustainable rates that will support proposed infrastructure improvements, including the construction of a new facultative pond named in the Village’s 2022 Asset Management Plan. Existing sewage facilities include two treatment plants (main and port of entry), two lift stations, and approximately 21 miles of PVC collection line.  

Following the community work plan developed for the Village, RCAC has worked closely with municipal staff to gather information needed for the sewer rate study including budget, sales, and asset data. These activities were supplemented by a site visit in late July 2022 to inspect existing facilities. RCAC will discuss and share preliminary rate recommendations at upcoming public meetings. With the incorporation of public input, RCAC expects to supply final recommendations for council adoption in the coming months.