Company Profile
Harlingen Waterworks System
Company Overview
ABOUT THE HARLINGEN WATERWORKS SYSTEM
The Harlingen Waterworks System is the public water and wastewater utility of the City of Harlingen, serving approximately
80,000 customers in Harlingen, Primera, Palm Valley, and other water supply corporations.
GOVERNANCE & ORGANIZATION
Harlingen’s City Charter assigns the managing control and operation of the Harlingen Waterworks System to a five-member
Board of Trustees, each of whom is appointed to four-year terms by the Harlingen City Commission. Board members must
be residents of the city and customers of the utility, and they are limited to two terms each. The Mayor and City Manager
also serve as ex-officio board members.
Company History
The utility’s rich history dates back to the early 20th century; when Harlingen was incorporated in 1910, the town’s original
water system and downtown water plant were constructed and owned by Central Power and Light (CP&L). Private ownership
continued until 1940 when, as WWII loomed and the start of an airbase to the city was announced, the town’s forebears
had the insight to see the potential benefits of getting into the water business.
Five individuals at that time financed the purchase from CP&L for the City — and after those bonds were serviced, the City
took over the water and sewer systems. The Waterworks was officially established during the 1970s when a referendum
was passed to separate the utility system from the City and operate it as a separate department. Harlingen Waterworks is
now a wholly owned department of the city, operating under an independent Board of Trustees, with a team of 155 employees
and an annual budget of roughly $27.9 million.
Benefits
BENEFITS
The organization’s benefits package includes health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, nine paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave policies, and an Employee Assistance Program. Harlingen participates in the Texas Municipal Retirement System, which features a 7% employee contribution with a 2:1 employer match and offers voluntary deferred compensation options.