Texas Water Development Board closes on funding for $27,640,000 to the Lone Star Regional Water Authority (Williamson and Bell counties) for a water supply project

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

AUSTIN – (December 2, 2015) –-The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) today closed on funding providing financial assistance in the amount of $27,640,000 from the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) program* to the Lone Star Regional Water Authority (Williamson and Bell counties). The assistance will finance the planning, acquisition, design, and construction costs associated with a water supply project.

The Authority could save approximately $796,000 over the life of the funding by using SWIFT.

The Authority plans to construct a pipeline, pump stations, storage tanks, and metering stations with the assistance provided today. The project will allow the Authority to deliver treated surface water from the Brazos River Authority's East Williamson County Regional Water System to the densely populated I-35 corridor in Williamson and Bell counties.

On December 1, 2015, the application period for the 2016 funding cycle of the SWIFT program will open. Entities have until February 5, 2016, to submit a preliminary, two-page application. Applications may be submitted via TWDB's new online application or by paper-copy.

*The SWIFT program includes two funds, the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas (SWIRFT) and the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT). Revenue bonds for the program are issued through the SWIRFT.

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.