Representatives with LNV Engineering of Corpus Christi projected future growth to be on the northwest and north end of Refugio. The study of the town’s water needs was funded by Refugio economic development funds.

The engineers recommended to the city council last Tuesday night (Aug. 14) to beef up the size of water lines to those areas.

Hector Casteneda, Jose DeLeon and Grady Atkinson advised the council that a six-inch water main be increased to a minimum of 10 inches to supply the Humble Camp, projected homes and industrial growth in the area.

“We also recommended looping the lines to avoid having dead ends,” Casteneda said.

Currently, the town uses 3 million gallons of non-metered water each year.

“A lot of that is used to flush the dead ends, and some of the water that’s not metered goes to parks, putting out fires, city buildings and line breaks.”

Flushing dead ends is required by the state, according to Casteneda.

Next week, work is expected to begin on the Refugio water tower on Swift Street. The council voted unanimously to have the tower painted orange and black, Refugio’s colors, and with the inscription Home of the Refugio Bobcats.

Casteneda said the old water well has been plugged, and drilling has begun on the new one.

Two groundwater storage tanks will be added on Vance Street. The new tank that was installed but later turned blue has been removed.

“The new well should be online by the end of the year,” he said.