Texas Border Business
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved $44 million in financial assistance for the City of Edinburg for the planning, acquisition, design, and construction of a wastewater system improvements project. The financial assistance will consist of $43,925,000 in financing and $75,000 in principal forgiveness from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). By securing financial assistance through the CWSRF program, TWDB estimated that the City could save nearly $11 million over the life of the financing. Edinburg will not have to increase property taxes to pay for the financing. The City will pledge revenue from the wastewater system to cover all existing and proposed debt.
The City of Edinburg currently provides drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 30,500 water connections and 25,300 wastewater connections. The proposed three-phase project will make improvements to Edinburg’s wastewater treatment plant to expand its capacity in anticipation of the growing population expected by 2030. Edinburg is the fifth fastest-growing large city in the state and ranks in the top 20 in the country. The current population of approximately 105,000 and continues to grow by an average of about seven people per day. As result, to accommodate the population growth and comply with state regulations, the project will include construction of a new plant on the north side of the City’s service area and make improvements to address capacity issues to the existing plant. In addition, financial assistance will allow the City to address existing sanitary sewer overflows and conduct an emergency preparedness plan.
Senator Hinojosa released the following statement:
“The growth the City of Edinburg is experiencing make this project necessary. The funding approved by the Texas Water Development Board ensures that the City will continue to provide drinking water and wastewater services to all residents in the future. I want to thank Edinburg officials for their continued efforts in obtaining funding for this project.”
