Utilities

• The primary local service provider of telephone service is Southwestern Bell (1-800-464-7928). Long distance service is available through a number of providers.
• Internet connection services are available through Southwestern Bell (1-800-464-7928) and Time Warner (1-800-425-5897).

• Natural gas for the area is provided by Hino Natural Gas Company (956-423-9178) and Southern Union Gas (956-444-3900).

• AEP/Central Power & Light (1-877-373-4858), Hino Electric Power Company (956-428-7800) and Magic Valley Electric Cooperative (1-866-225-5683) are the local electric providers, although more options are now available due to recent deregulation measures in the state.

• The City of San Benito (956-361-3800) maintains and provides the City’s water supply. Currently, the City of San Benito is completing a 3 phased improvements project to the existing water and wastewater system. The first component of this project is the construction of a new water treatment plant that would increase the plant’s capacity from 5.97 million gallons per day (MGD) to 10.0 MGD. The second component of this project is to construct a new overhead water storage tank and 2 transmission lines from the new water treatment plant to the City’s ground storage and high service pump station and from the water treatment plant to the new overhead storage tank. The proposed storage tank will have a capacity of 1,000,000 gallons. The city’s current 750,000 gallon tank would be decommissioned. The transmission lines are 2 16-inch water lines that would come from the new water treatment plant. The final component of this project is the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant. The city currently utilizes a 2.16 MGD lagoon wastewater plant. The City is proposing to construct a 3.5 MGD extended aeration plant. Improvements are scheduled to begin November 2003.

• The City of San Benito currently contracts with BFI (956-423-7316) for the City’s sanitation needs.