Whitesboro is growing. Families, businesses, and opportunities are coming here. Growth brings good things, but growth also puts stress on our water, sewer, and lighting systems. Instead of waiting for things to break, the City has a plan to upgrade now.
After a full audit of our systems, three main projects were identified:
1. Replace every outdated water meter with accurate, solid-state meters.
2. Rehabilitate manholes that are letting in stormwater and weakening our sewer system.
3. Swap out 214 old streetlights for bright, energy-efficient LEDs.
This is not just a repair plan — it’s an investment that pays for itself.
Water Meters and System Upgrades
Our current meters do not allow us to automate reading, improve accuracy and provide early identification of potential leaks.
The new solid-state meters will:
• Give accurate readings every time and eliminate manual readings.
• Detect leaks quickly. The city will receive notifications of potential problems earlier to expedite repairs.
• Feed data into a modern AMI system so you can track your water use online. You’ll be able to track your own usage and set parameters for notifications for abnormal or excessive usage.
At the same time, the City will upgrade its SCADA system. That means real-time monitoring of wells, pumps, and storage tanks. When something goes wrong, staff will know immediately and take action in a timelier manner.
Manholes
Whitesboro has 38 manholes most of which are over 50 years old. When it rains, stormwater seeps into our sewer system via the brick walls in the manhole and old manhole covers. This overloads the sewer plant, damages streets, and wastes money.
The plan is to line and seal these manholes. The benefits are simple:
• Less flooding and road damage.
• Lower treatment costs.
• Longer life for our sewer system.
• Better protection against state violations.
Streetlights
Our city has a patchwork of old lights. Some are dim, some are broken, and many don’t meet safety standards.
The City will replace 214 outdated fixtures with LEDs. These new lights are brighter, last longer, and use far less energy. That means safer streets, fewer repairs, and lower costs.
What Citizens Gain
This program is built for citizens:
• Safer Streets: Better lighting reduces crime and improves traffic safety.
• Stronger Systems: Repaired manholes and upgraded controls protect our sewer and water systems.
• Better Service: Online water tracking, faster issue detection, and better customer support.
• Lower Costs: The City saves over $100,000 a year in utilities, plus more in avoided repairs.
• Future Savings: Instead of emergency fixes, we’re planning ahead.
Paying for Itself
The total cost is $3.3 million. But here’s the key: the savings and added revenue will pay for the project in just over 11 years. After that, the benefits keep coming — and the improvements last for decades.
Timing
The water meters, manhole rehabilitation and lighting projects will begin late September and continue through January 2026. The SCADA system upgrade will end in February 2026.
A City Looking Ahead
This is more than fixing problems - it’s Whitesboro taking charge of its future. By acting now, we get:
• Improved water management services.
• Brighter, safer streets.
• Reliable systems that serve families and businesses for years to come.
This program shows what can happen when a city plans, invests wisely and puts the improvement of the quality of citizens first.
Thank you again for allowing me to serve Whitesboro. As always, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
Phil Harris is the City Administrator for the City of Whitesboro. He can be reached at [email protected]