(KGNS) - Severe drought is prompting Laredo leaders to look into speeding up water reclamation strategies nearly a decade ahead of schedule.

Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino presented the proposal to the Laredo City Council on Monday, Sept. 21, urging officials to advance water recycling measures originally planned for 2033. City leaders said accelerating the reclamation process would not replace existing pipe replacement projects, but would instead expand efforts to capture more water.

Laredo City Manager Joseph Neeb addressed the proposed acceleration during the meeting."What I would recommend, I believe based upon the motion and everything, is not to stop what we're currently doing, but to incorporate the additional activities that will match up a little quicker," Neeb said.