Water and Wastewater Engineering McAllen, Texas

Water and wastewater engineering in McAllen

MES designs water and wastewater systems for sites in McAllen and across Hidalgo County. We work for developers, utilities, cities and engineering firms.

The work covers water lines, sewer lines, lift stations and small treatment plants. It also covers site civil design and support during construction.

Inside the city, most sites connect to the existing utility. Outside it, a site may fall in another provider's area or need its own treatment. We sort out which path fits before design starts.

How permitting and review work in McAllen

McAllen Public Utility is the city's water and wastewater utility. It serves McAllen and parts of the area around it. Extensions and connections follow its design rules.

Other providers serve land outside the city. Sharyland Water Supply Corporation, for one, serves rural areas in and around Mission, McAllen and Edinburg. The Public Utility Commission of Texas sets each provider's certificated service area, or CCN.

A private wastewater plant that discharges needs a TPDES permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Hidalgo County falls under the TCEQ Region 15 office in Harlingen.

Water in the Valley comes mostly from the Rio Grande. TCEQ's Rio Grande Watermaster runs the water right accounts below Amistad Reservoir and keeps a reserve for cities. Supply is a question to settle early.

Work nearby

MES has done civil site plan work for drive-up water kiosk sites in Edinburg, Pharr, Hidalgo, Palmview and Weslaco, and in Brownsville to the east. These sites are part of a multi-state kiosk site program.

Common questions

Can my site connect to McAllen's utility system?

It depends on where the site sits and who holds the service area. Inside the city, McAllen Public Utility usually serves it. Outside the city, check the CCN map first. We do this check during feasibility.

What if there is no sewer near my site?

The options are a line extension, a septic system for small flows, or a private treatment plant with a TCEQ permit. We compare them on cost and schedule and recommend one. See your three wastewater disposal options in Texas.

Who reviews the plans?

The city or the water provider reviews utility extensions. TCEQ reviews wastewater permit applications. Plats outside city limits go through Hidalgo County, and sometimes the city as well.