Texas Water Development Board approves financial assistance for water, wastewater projects

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — The Texas Water Development Board announced that it approved $82,276,365 in financial assistance for water and wastewater projects as well as $1,480,956 in agricultural water conservation grants.

According to a TWDB press release, TWDB approved a total of $82,276,365 for water and wastewater projects.

The Agricultural Water Conservation Loan Program loaned the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District, $1,000,000. The District covers local counties including Carson, Gray, Donley, Roberts, Armstrong, Potter, Hutchinson, and Wheeler.

The release detailed that the PGCD could, “Save approximately $86,300 over the life of the loan by using the Agricultural Water Conservation Loan Program.”

Officials said the loaned funds will provide financial assistance for area farmers helping them purchase irrigation systems and related equipment which can improve water use efficiency.

The TWDB approved $1,480,956 in grants through its Agricultural Water Conservation Grants Program. Officials added that the funds are granted to, “State agencies and political subdivisions activities that promote water conservation in the state.”

The grant recipients include:

• $50,000 to the Mesquite Groundwater Conservation District for an irrigation metering equipment project
• $200,000 to the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District for an irrigation metering equipment project
• $30,000 to the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District for an irrigation metering equipment project
• $250,000 to the Rolling Plains Groundwater Conservation District for a managed aquifer recharge project
• $256,619 to Texas A&M University-Kingsville to research soil water dynamics
• $250,000 to Texas A&M AgriLife Research to research agricultural water use efficiency in El Paso County
• $194,337 to Texas A&M AgriLife Research to research water conservation strategies for producing specialty crops in the Lower Rio Grande Valley
• $250,000 to Texas Tech University to assess new irrigation technology and revive Texas Alliance for Water Conservation tools to strengthen water conservation efforts in the Texas High Plains

TWDB said grants aim to support the implantation of conservation strategies outlined in the regional and state water plans, and promote innovation as well as water conservation in agricultural irrigation in Texas.

To learn more about the loan program and previously funded projects visit the TWDB website.

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