Texas Water Development Board approves $8.1 million to the United Irrigation District (Hidalgo County) for an off-channel storage facility

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AUSTIN – (July 21, 2016) – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) today approved by resolution financial assistance in the amount of $8.1 million from the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) program* to the United Irrigation District (Hidalgo County). The District will use the assistance to finance planning, acquisition, design, and construction costs associated with an off-channel storage facility.

The District could save approximately $980,000 over the life of the financing by using the SWIFT program.

The District obtains water from the Rio Grande River through the Falcon Reservoir system. The District plans to use the financial assistance approved today to construct an off-channel storage facility between its diversion point in the Rio Grande and its first pumping station. This will allow the District to reduce river losses by storing water already in route from the Falcon Reservoir that would have been lost to the Gulf of Mexico during wet weather when canals are full and demand decreases.

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