The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) met on January 11, 2018 to take up a full agenda which included hearing an update on water conditions in the state of Texas & approving financial assistance totaling $22,190,000 for rural water and wastewater system projects.
- $16,710,000 to the Greater Texoma Utility Authority on behalf of the City of Princeton (Collin County) for water system improvements
- $1.2 million to the City of Eldorado (Schleicher County) for water system improvements
- $4,280,000 to the City of Llano (Llano County) for water and wastewater system improvement project
Of note, Bech Bruun resigned from the board to run for congress; Peter Lake was designated by Bruun to hold the chairman position for the interim.
Discussion regarding outreach efforts and activities by the Board
- Jackson attended several meetings and events including a regional water planning group meeting in Wichita Falls.
- Lake attended a couple of financial assistance workshops, also visited the Rio Grande water master’s office, also visited the Texas A&M agricultural life center in Corpus Christie.
City of Eldorado (Schleicher County) for $1,200,000 in financing from the DWSRF Board Agenda #02 Document
Lee Huntoon, Exec Admin Staff
- The city currently has two 50,000-gallon water towers that are both old and need to be replaced.
- Low pressure points exist in lines causing issues.
- The city proposes a new 100,000-gallon tank as well as other improvements to help the water system improve for its customers.
- Jackson- This is an example of good planning as well as the use of using multiple financing sources.
- Motion Passed
Greater Texoma Utility Authority on behalf of the City of Princeton (Collin County) for $16,710,000 DWSRF Board Agenda #03 Document
Luis Farias, Exec Admin Staff
- The city receives water from two pump stations.
- The city anticipates the backup pump station will not meet standards by 2020.
- The existing site is too small to accommodate improvements.
- Jackson- This is a growing area, they are getting a full spare in what they will be providing.
- Motion Passed
City of Llano (Llano County) for $890,000 in DWSRF & CWSRF Board Agenda #04 Document
City of Llano (Llano County) for $3,390,000 in CWSRF Board Agenda #05 Document
Dain Larsen, Exec Admin Staff
- These loans will help replace water and sewer lines
- The cost will be reduced by doing both projects at the same time
- No rate increases will be required
- Jackson- They will basically leave the existing line and go forward with a new one
- Lake- I appreciate all the financial work that was done on this
- Motion Passed for both requests
City of Llano (Llano County) for $735,000 in CWSRF Board Agenda #05 Document
This motion was moved to the next meeting for consideration
Ben Wheeler Water Supply Corporation request for a partial release of lien Board Agenda #06 Document
Annette Mass, Exec Admin Staff
- The board holds property interest in this system
- They would like a block of property released so they can transfer it to the owner of the property
- The release of this will not impact the corporation from running their system
- Motion Passed
Briefing and discussion on water conditions in the state of Texas
Mark Wentzel, Exec Admin Staff
- Compared maps from Dec 5th to Jan 2nd from drought monitor
- Drought has moved West
- Some areas in the southern and eastern part of Texas have improved and drought has gone down
- We are about 1/3 out of drought, 1/3 of the state abnormally dry that could quickly move into drought and 1/3 of the state is in drought
- Discussed reservoirs and capacity across Texas
- Provided the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook – back to average rainfall is expected in the month of May