NEAR EDINBURG – Hidalgo County worked with other local departments to improve conditions and prevent flooding at a neighborhood north of Edinburg.

People living in the Hoehn Subdivision said they had to use underground septic tanks for years. They said rain would cause sewage backups, fill up lawns and leave the floors of the homes ruined.

Resident Aurora Castillo contacted us several years ago about the issues.

“In three occasions, it will fill at the edge of the neighborhood. I had to leave my vehicle outside the subdivision,” she said. “When I left to work, I had to walk through water so that I can get to my car and go to work. I had to be there at 3 a.m.”

Hidalgo County Precinct 4, McAllen Public Utility and the county’s Drainage District No. 1 installed a new sewage line in an effort to connect the neighborhood to the city’s sewer system.

Castillo said they fought for better conditions for years.

Hidalgo County Precinct 4 Commissioner Joseph Palacios said they plan to do the same with four other neighborhoods in the precinct.

“We already have more projects underway and we’re happy to know we are going to connect just one subdivision that we are working with North Alamo Water,” he said.

He said the need for improvement in other areas around the Valley is big.

“It lends itself to a plan that we can start looking at the 190 plus subdivision and colonias that are similar in nature, in low-lying areas in septic with the similar means,” he said.

Castillo said she applauds city and county leaders for paying attention to their needs.