POTABLE WATER AND WASTEWATER PLANNING IN NUEVO LAREDO, TAMAULIPAS

As a result of the side agreements made between Mexico and the U.S. government during the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiation process, the U.S. has agreed to provide significant assistance with planning environmental projects along the southern border. This paper discusses the work accomplished for the Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas project (March 1999 to October 2001).Nuevo Laredo, located on the Rio Grande across from Laredo, Texas, is one of the largest international trade ports with the U.S. A new wastewater treatment plant was constructed a few years ago through a cooperative Mexican/U.S. agreement. The remainder of the City's infrastructure system has not kept pace with the high rate of growth.Under the terms of the IBWC Principal Engineer's Joint Report issued February 6, 1998., Mexico updated the land use master plan, will prepare the BECC certification documentation; and will design the water and wastewater projects necessary to provide complete infrastructure for their future needs. They may decide to utilize a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) model to construct these works.The U.S. performed a potable water and sewerage system inventory and inspection program, conducted a GIS survey, prepared an aerial photograph, and conducted flow and pressure monitoring. The potable water and wastewater systems were modeled using H2O Net ™ for the potable water system and Hydra ™ for the sewer system, utilizing a GIS format, and the planning and implementation program report was prepared. This report contains recommendations for the potable water and sewer system expansion program necessary to bring service to the entire city and provide for future growth and expansion.The Joint Report provides for a Bi-National Technical Committee (BTC) to oversee performance of the work. The BTC is composed of members of Mexican and the U.S. IBWC; CNA and EPA; CEAPA; COMAPA; BECC; NADBank; and the consultants involved in performing the work.