Wastewater Collection Operations

Unclogging and cleaning a sewer main from a brick manhole at M Street and Pierce

Harlingen’s sewer system consists of over 315 miles of pipe that convey wastewater to the Wastewater Treatment Plan on the east side of Harlingen. On average, HWWS responds to 665 sewer backups annually, or 55 per month.

Our crews use specialized trucks equipped with a powerful water jet and vacuum to clear backups typically caused by grease, rags, and debris. In the past week, HWWS crews cleared 23 sewer backups.