The Texas Water Development Board approves $10,495,004 in financial assistance to the City of Ballinger (Runnels County) to finance alternative water supplies

For immediate release. Contact: Media Relations at 512-463-5129

AUSTIN – (April 17, 2014) – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) today approved by resolution financial assistance in the amount of $10,495,004, consisting of a $7,395,000 loan and $3,100,004 in loan forgiveness from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to the City of Ballinger (Runnels County). The financial assistance will help address water shortages due to declining surface water supplies and is designated by TWDB as an emergency relief project.

By accessing TWDB funding, the city could save an estimated $6,267,493 in interest and principal over the life of the loan.

The city needs to develop additional water supplies and is proposing to investigate several alternatives. The primary alternative under consideration is to develop additional groundwater supply. The assistance will be used to finance a well field, construct pumping facilities and transmission lines to the water treatment plant and fund alternative water supply options.

The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional planning, and preparing the state water plan for the development of the state's water resources. The TWDB administers cost-effective financial assistance programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and agricultural water conservation projects.