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AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) – The Texas Water Development Commission announced in April 2023 that the Texas Water Development Commission will support the implementation of the Texas Water Fund, which was approved by voters in November 2023 and authorized the appropriation of $1 billion in funding. It has been announced that public comments will be solicited until the 30th. These include water infrastructure upgrades, water supply projects, and state-wide water awareness programs.
As TWDB explained, this fund allows TWDB to provide funding through certain existing TWDB financial assistance programs and the Texas New Water Supply Fund. Of the $1 billion allocated to the Texas Water Fund, TWDB will invest at least $2 billion in the Texas New Water Fund to implement innovative water supply strategies such as seawater and brackish water desalination, oil and gas produced water treatment projects. $50 million must be allocated. , aquifer storage and recovery projects.
To inform funding priorities and management of existing TWDB programs that may receive a portion of the Texas Water Fund, TWDB conducted three online surveys and two in-person meetings in Austin and Lubbock. , and announced that it will accept comments through written feedback.
Each of the three online surveys focuses on a different aspect of the Texas Water Fund, with questions regarding Texans’ preferences for water project funding, Texas New Water Fund, and public awareness program priorities. included.
Initial research will change the way projects seek financial assistance by consolidating initial information forms on drinking water projects, rural support, water conservation and water loss reduction, etc., rather than splitting them up according to regulations. Contains questions regarding the possibility of program. It also highlighted concerns about projects funded by state revolving fund programs being designated as non-equivalent projects (projects that do not meet all federal requirements and receive less interest rate reductions than equivalent projects). It also includes the questions you asked. Additionally, the initial study also asks whether factors such as rural designation and median household income should be considered when awarding grants from the Texas Water Fund.
The second study discusses the Texas New Water Fund, which TWDB says is “designed to implement innovative water supply strategies such as saltwater and brackish water desalination.” . Oil and gas produced water treatment projects. and aquifer storage and recovery projects. ” The question asked Texans what other types of water strategies would qualify for the program as “new water supplies,” and how the TWDB should define “new water” and “creation of new water sources.” It focuses on topics such as. Types of projects that should be prioritized.
The third survey focuses on public awareness programs aimed at educating Texans about water and includes questions about priorities that TWDB should consider when allocating funds. For example, choosing between prioritizing K-12 educational resources and commercialization.
In parallel with these surveys, TWDB announced that it will hold two in-person meetings in Austin and Lubbock during the public feedback period:
- Stakeholder meeting at the Barbara Jordan State Building in Austin
- March 20th, 1:30pm – 3:30pm
- Work session at the Lubbock City Council Civic Tower
Additionally, TWDB announced that it will accept comments during board meetings scheduled throughout April, and written feedback submitted to TexasWaterFund@twdb.texas.gov along with survey responses will be accepted until April 30th. I was told that it would be accepted.
Learn more about the Texas Water Fund and its implementation schedule.
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