A Community-Owned Legacy
At the turn of the 20th century, Brownsville was lit by kerosene lamps while water was hauled in from the Rio Grande for all purposes. Community leaders knew that in order for Brownsville to prosper, they needed modern conveniences, including water and electric service.
After being presented with a petition signed by 150 citizens, the City Council approved an election for a utility system in 1907. Local residents made their choice clear as they unanimously voted for the issuance of bonds to construct a local system that they would build, own, and manage themselves.
The Birth of BPUB
In this spirit, the utility system continued to develop and grow, gaining the attention of private companies that began to make offers for its purchase.
After several attempts from larger companies to acquire the system, Brownsville's City Commission authorized a charter amendment election proposing the creation of a public utilities board in 1960.
A heated debate quickly ensued between groups in favor of and against the charter amendment. In the end, Brownsville residents voted for the amendment and the Brownsville Public Utilities Board was created. This was yet another official declaration of customer wishes to control and manage their own local utility. Decisions are made by a local board and city commission instead of outside interests.
Timeline of Milestones
1848-1910: The Beginning
1848 - Brownsville is founded. Residents depend on horse-drawn carts from the Rio Grande to deliver water and kerosene lamps to light their homes.
1900 - Brownsville citizens ask for an election to create a municipal system after a franchise awarded by the City Council to John Maxcy fails to begin construction.
1907 - Brownsville citizens approve a $70,000 bond issue to build a water-works and an electric light plant.
1908 - Brownsville builds an electric and water utility. The first electric light plant cost $11,000. Brownsville's first 16 street lights are not lit during the full moon to save money.
1910 - Brownsville builds new water filtration plant.
1931-1960: Growth & Independence
1931 - Brownsville builds a new water filtration plant at the cost of $152,000. It can supply 4 million gallons of water daily and is called "one of the best in the state."
1937 - Brownsville puts Municipal Electric Plant into operation.
1950 - Brownsville constructs Water Treatment Plant No. 2.
1960 - Brownsville's City Commission authorizes a charter amendment proposing the creation of a public utilities board; residents vote for the amendment, resulting in the creation of the Public Utilities Board (BPUB) of the City of Brownsville, Texas.
1970-1990: Expansion Era
1970 - BPUB expands Water Treatment Plant No. 1 to match Brownsville residential and industrial expansion.
1976 - BPUB completes Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements to treat 10,000 gallons of wastewater.
1980 - BPUB builds Robindale (North Plant) Wastewater Treatment Plant to treat 5 million gallons a day.
1983 - BPUB creates a Public Utilities Board Consumer Advisory Panel (PUBCAP) to create a communications channel for its customers. The panel soon became a model for other electrical utilities' consumer advisory boards.
1986 - BPUB acquires 18% share of Oklaunion Power Plant near Vernon, Texas.
1992-2009: Modernization
1992 - BPUB constructs a 36-inch raw water pipeline from the Rio Grande to BPUB Water Treatment Plant No. 2. Resaca de la Guerra waterway is no longer needed to carry raw water to the treatment plant.
1999 - BPUB buys 21% of the natural gas-powered Hidalgo Energy Center in Edinburg, Texas.
2000 - The Brownsville Public Utilities Board rebrands itself with the introduction of a new logo.
2004 - BPUB begins Southmost Regional Water Authority (Brackish Groundwater) Desalination Water Treatment Plant operations.
2009 - BPUB uses a $46 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus grant to upgrade much of the city's wastewater infrastructure.
2014-Present: Sustainable Future
2014 - BPUB renovates and expands Robindale Wastewater Treatment Plant to increase treatment capacity to 14.5 million gallons daily. It is the first design-build plant in Texas.
2015 - BPUB enters a purchase agreement with Sendero Wind Farm in Hebbronville, Texas to bring 78 megawatts of electricity to Brownsville residents.
2020 - Oklaunion Power Plant is decommissioned as BPUB continues transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
2025 - The Brownsville Public Utilities Board updates its logo as part of a rebrand, marking a new chapter in our history of service.
