AUSTIN — Today, the Texas Water Development Board, at their regularly scheduled Board meeting, approved $31,510,000 for the Agua Special Utility District (Agua SUD) in western Hidalgo County. The financial assistance, consisting of a $1,845,000 loan and $365,000 in loan forgiveness from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and a $29,300,000 grant from the Economically Distressed Areas Program, will finance construction of a wastewater collection system to provide first time wastewater service to the City of Palmview and surrounding areas.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

"Clean water and wastewater services are essential to the development and health of our communities. With this funds, Agua SUD will be able to provide wastewater services for the first-time in these growing communities. The goal through the grant funding is to connect all residential homes at no cost to the home owner and offer available connections for non-residential customers to tie into the sewer system. The impact of this infrastructure improvement will promote economic development and safeguard against public health concerns. I thank the Board for their continued support and commitment to our local communities."

Background on Agua SUD wastewater project:

The purpose of the project is to provide an effective method of wastewater collection and treatment to the planning area within Agua SUD's CCN. Wastewater service in the planning area is presently being provided by on-site septic tank/drain filled systems with a few dwellings being served by other types of on-site systems. Agua SUD's proposed Palmview sewer project (Phase-I) will provide effective wastewater collection and treatment services in the project area. The project area encompasses the City of Palmview and adjoining sub divisions. The project consists of a 2.5 MGD wastewater treatment plant and the collection system as defined by the project boundaries with approximately 160,000 lf of sewer lines and four lift stations. As the Rio Grande Valley strategizes to develop new water sources, a well-planned sewer system such as the one proposed by Agua may provide re-use water for non-drinking purposes, flush toilets, landscaping, aquifer recharging and other uses. In providing a managed sewer system the current septic systems will be abandoned and the sewerage that percolates into the ground today that may be influencing the long term quality of the Rio Grande Valley's yet untapped ground water resources will be eliminated.

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