Texas Water Development Board approves $14,012,500 to the East Rio Hondo Water Supply Corporation (Cameron County) for water system improvements

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MCKINNEY, TEXAS – (September 12, 2024) – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) today approved by resolution financial assistance in the amount $14,012,500 to the East Rio Hondo Water Supply Corporation (Cameron County), consisting of $4,265,000 in financing and $9,747,500 in principal forgiveness, from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). The Corporation will use the assistance for the planning, design, and construction of a water system improvement project.

In addition to the loan forgiveness, the Corporation could save approximately $1,600,000 over the life of the loan by using the DWSRF.

With the assistance approved today, the Corporation will install a dissolved air flotation system at the Martha Ann Simpson Water Treatment Plant to remove algae from raw water. The system upgrades include flocculation basins, dissolved air flotation basins, and mechanical support systems. Additionally, the project includes adding an emergency generator for the Harlingen Waterworks Pump Station to ensure a reliable backup water supply during emergencies.

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