The Texas Water Development Board met on July 9 to hear invited testimony on ongoing funding efforts and the agency’s strategic plan. TWDB approved financial assistance totaling $1,300,000 for Texas communities. Of this funding, $800,000 was approved for a rural water project.

  • $500,000 to the Orange County Drainage District (Orange County) for a Hurricane Harvey-related drainage improvement project
  • $800,000 to the Ramirez Common School District (Duval County) for a new water system

This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics the committee took up. This report is not a verbatim transcript of the hearing; it is based upon what was audible or understandable to the observer and the desire to get details out as quickly as possible with few errors or omissions.

 

1. Discussion regarding outreach efforts and activities by the Board.

  • Kathleen Jackson, TWDB – Visited Blanco, Texas for the kickoff of the asset management program for small systems. We went through the game plan and can’t wait to see the growth in that community. My plan is to visit all our communities in the pilot program.
  • Peter Lake, TWDB – Sat down with El Paso Water, Kirk County and staff from the EPA.
  • Brooke Paup, TWDB – Attended the ribbon cutting of the McAllen South Wastewater treatment plant upgrade. Largest biological nutrient removal project south of San Antonio.

 

2. Consider approving by resolution a request from the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 50 (Harris County) for $2,770,000 in financing from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for design and construction of sanitary sewer system improvements.

  • Moved to a later agenda at the request of the executive administrator

 

3. Consider approving by resolution a request from Orange County Drainage District (Orange County) for $500,000 in principal forgiveness from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for planning, design, and construction of a Hurricane Harvey drainage improvement project. (Link)

Executive Administrator Staff

  • Requesting $500,000 to remove debris left over from Hurricane Harvey. E.A. requests approval for this project.
  • Jackson – Funding will allow the waterways to be free flowing by the end of the project. This isn’t a grant for partial removal, we want to completely solve the issue. Believes it will have a great impact.
  • Board moves to adopt proposed resolution, passes

 

4. Consider approving by resolution a request from the City of McAllen to amend the Additional Bonds Test related to the parity debt held by the Texas Water Development Board. (Link)

  • Moved to a later agenda at the request of the executive administrator.

 

5. Consider approving by resolution a request from the City of McAllen (Hidalgo County) for $12,000,000 in financing from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for construction of water system improvements and for a waiver of the requirement that a portion of the assistance be used to mitigate the City’s water loss. (Link)

  • Moved to a later agenda at the request of the executive administrator.

 

6. Consider approving by resolution a request from the City of McAllen (Hidalgo County) for $7,000,000 in financing from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for construction of wastewater system improvements. (Link)

  • Moved to a later agenda at the request of the executive administrator.

 

7. Consider approving by resolution a request from the Ramirez Common School District (Duval County) for $800,000 in principal forgiveness from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for planning, design, and construction of a new water system. (Link)

Executive Administrator’s Staff

  • One school serves 30-40 students with a staff of 11 people.
  • Well tested above maximum contaminant levels for E. coli and arsenic levels
  • School can only use that water for cleaning purposes- for cooking and drinking the school must purchase water from 20 miles away
  • This new water system will provide the school with potable water
  • Angela Gonzalez, CSD – Thanks the board for the meaningful contribution that they’re making to the school district
  • Board moves to adopt proposed resolution, passes

 

8. Consider approving the agency’s strategic plan. (Link)

Executive Administrator’s staff

  • Continue to evaluate and make improvements to financial assistance programs
  • Goal is to become the state leader in collection/synthesis of data & in flood resiliency projects
  • Includes creation of new water supplies and flood mitigation efforts
  • Board moves to adopt proposed strategic plan, passes