Texas Water Development Board approves $7,100,000 to the Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 1 (Hidalgo County) for an agricultural irrigation project

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AUSTIN – (July 23, 2015) – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) today approved by resolution financial assistance in the amount of $7,100,000 from the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) to the Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 1 (Hidalgo County). The assistance will allow the District to finance planning, design and construction costs associated with improvements to an agricultural irrigation conveyance system.

The District could save approximately $942,691 over the life of the loan by using SWIFT.

Drought conditions over the past few years have limited the amount of surface water available for irrigation and municipal use throughout the District's service area. The District plans to reinforce canal linings with concrete to reduce water loss and improve conservation efforts.

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.