TWDB to hold a meeting on innovative water technology on January 29

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

AUSTIN – (January 22, 2015) – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) will hold a board meeting in Austin at the William B. Travis Building, 1701 N. Congress Avenue, Room 1-111, on January 29, 2015, with sessions to be held at 9:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The meeting will include discussions on innovative water solutions for Texas and financial assistance for multiple communities around the state.

"After the success of last April's meeting on innovative water solutions, we are excited to be having this event again," said TWDB Chairman Carlos Rubinstein. "It is clear that many Texans are interested in this topic, and we are proud to offer the public this opportunity to engage in a thoughtful discussion on innovative water solutions for the state."

The morning session will include presentations on innovative water solutions from external experts. The experts will present on a variety of topics on how to conserve and manage existing water supplies and develop new water supply sources for Texas. Topics include desalination, wastewater treatment, water and agricultural conservation, urban water, rainwater harvesting, horizontal well drilling, and public-private partnerships.

"The advances we're seeing and hearing about in water technology are not only exciting, but critical to ensure Texans have an ample water supply for decades to come," said TWDB Board member Bech Bruun. "I'm looking forward to hearing from experts on all of these issues, and hope to apply their findings to the hard work already being done to develop and maintain our water resources here in Texas."

In the afternoon session, the Board will consider financial assistance for projects requesting financial assistance from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and the Economically Distressed Areas Program. The Board will also be briefed on and participate in discussions on the TWDB's Quarterly Investment Report, the TWDB's financial policies, and drought conditions in Texas.

"We are always looking for new ideas and solutions, but we also continue to work with the numerous resources already available, including TWDB's financial assistance programs," said TWDB Board member Kathleen Jackson. We are committed to serving communities right now, while also fostering the creation of new technologies that will provide water for Texans in the future."

The public and interested stakeholders are encouraged to attend and provide public comment at both meetings.

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.