Water Education Programs

McAllen Public Utility offers free, appointment only, tours to the public and for school students. Tours are booked on a first-request basis and offered Monday through Friday during daylight hours at our North and Southwest Water Treatment Plants. We also offer tours of the North Wastewater Treatment Plant for professional groups, High School students, and University students on a case-by-case basis. We can accommodate up to 30 people in each tour group. For grades 3rd through 7th, we require chaperones at a 1:10 ratio. For grades 8 and up, we require chaperones at a 1:15 ratio. Tours last approximately one hour.

To sign up, please submit a Tour Request Form at least two weeks in advance to ksanchez@mcallen.net or call 956-681-1705 for additional options.

McAllen Public Utility offers free presentations to the public and for school students. Presentations can be done during a tour, at a school, or even a community event! Presentations are booked on a first-request basis and offered Monday through Friday.

Presentations and downloadable activities include:

• MPU Coloring Sheets
• W is for Water: Introduce the importance of water for people, animals, and plants. (PK-3rd)*
• The Water Cycle: Learn the steps of the Water Cycle. (PK-5th)*
• DIY Filter: Learn the importance of clean water by designing a filter to clean dirty water. (3rd grade and up)
• STEM Careers: Help us show the next generation the importance of an education by examining the exciting career opportunities found at MPU. (3rd and up)*
• Water Treatment: A look at how McAllen Public Utility treats water. Powerpoint or drone footage presentation available. (3rd and up

Presentations can be modified for younger grade levels. May be different presentation with similar topic.

We’re happy to partner with additional organizations that provide free water education resources.

• Texas Water Development Board
• Take Care of Texas-TCEQ
• Texas American Water Works Association-Be a Water Geek Videos
• This Is a STEMinist- Online Exhibit

McAllen Public Utility offers educational camps to children of all ages throughout the year at no cost to parents. Camps are generally offered in the Summer, Spring Break, and Winter Break.  Camps are first come first serve unless otherwise noted and require a completed registration form to be turned in.

Contact ksanchez@mcallen.net and ytijerina@mcallen.net to be added to the email list for notifications on upcoming camps or for more information.