Texas allocates $82 million for statewide water, wastewater projects

AUSTIN – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has invested $82.3 million in nine projects to improve water and wastewater systems and replace lead service lines.

The city of Port Lavaca will receive $39.3 million to improve the Lynn’s Bayou Wastewater Treatment Plant, expanding its capacity from two million to four million gallons per day (gpd).

The TWDB provided $11.7 million to help the city of Jacksonville expand the Double Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant’s capacity from 2.9 million to 5.8 million gpd.

Rio Grande City will spend $11.3 million to plan, design, and build a series of water systems improvements. The funds will enable the city to perform a comprehensive engineering assessment and develop a rehabilitation plan for Water Treatment Plant No. 1. The city will also address water pressure deficiencies, resolve water loss, and acquire rights to secure a reliable water supply.

The Angelina and Neches River Authority will receive $7.7 million to expand the Prairie Grove Water Supply Corporation system.

Other recipients include:

• The city of Pearsall will receive $7.4 million to build 2.1 miles of water line extension and replace pipes to provide adequate pressure for customers and businesses.
• The city of Gordon will use $2.1 million to replace the water treatment plant’s clarifier, replace additional deteriorated components, install interconnecting piping, and upgrade the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. Plans include replacing 6,000 feet of distribution pipeline.
• The Westwood Shores Municipal Utility District will use $1.6 million to survey and replace lead service lines.
• The Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District will receive $1 million to help farmers buy irrigation systems and associated equipment.
• The city of Mertzon will spend $122,449 to identify lead or galvanized materials across its distribution system.