Flores: Colonias with no electricity, water, or sewer system are still springing up

ALAMO, Texas - While listening to an incredible story from North Alamo Water Supply Corporation board member Anna Flores, Rio Grande Guardian reporter Steve Taylor stopped his interviewee to ask if she had heard of the Hidalgo County Prosperity Task Force.Flores said, “no.” Taylor responded, “I think this group will want to hear from you.”The Prosperity Task Force, set up by Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez, is trying to address Hidalgo County’s high rate of poverty. As part of her work in the healthcare arena, Flores visits colonias. In her interview, Flores said more and more colonias are popping up in the rural parts of Hidalgo County. She said many of the houses, if they can be called that, lack electricity, potable water or sewer system. “We run into it all the time, guys, people who don't have light, don't have water, people who have homes that are literally made out of plywood," Flores said. "It's incredible how it's still happening."Taylor put it to Flores that surely that was an issue that got addressed 20 to 30 years ago. “No,” Flores responded, “it is still happening. I can take you there.”Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.