AUSTIN — Today, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved $17.4 million in financial assistance for the North Alamo Water Supply Corporation ("North Alamo") consisting of a $14.8 million loan and $2.6 million in loan forgiveness from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). North Alamo, located in Edinburg, furnishes a drinking water and wastewater utility service for rural residents of eastern Hidalgo County, Willacy County, and northwestern Cameron County.

Currently, North Alamo operates seven surface water treatment plants, four brackish groundwater desalination plants, and five wastewater treatment plants. North Alamo will use the funds for the planning, acquisition, design, and construction of certain water system improvements. North Alamo serves 47,489 water connections for an estimated population of 182,130. With water demand projected to double over the next 50 years in North Alamo's service area, North Alamo will need to develop nearly 29,000 acre-feet per year of new supplies by 2070. To meet this projected deficit, the North Alamo project will expand surface water supplies and increase brackish groundwater desalination production.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

"I am pleased that the TWDB has approved North Alamo's request for a $17.4 million loan to develop new water supply sources. Water supply reliability is one of the most pressing social and economic challenges of our time and is vital to the continued development of our communities and local economies. These funds will allow North Alamo to keep up with the population growth and water demand in their service area."

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