Texas Border Business
WESLACO, Texas – Hidalgo County Precinct 1 Commissioner David L. Fuentes accepted the prestigious 2023 Texas Rain Catcher Award in Austin on Thursday on behalf of his precinct and the Hidalgo County Drainage District #1.
“Rainwater harvesting is a valuable conservation strategy and drought-resilience tool,” Conservation Manager John Sutton wrote to the Texas Water Development Board whose board met on Thursday. “The TWDB launched the Texas Rain Catcher Award in 2007 to promote rainwater harvesting, to educate the public about the benefits of rainwater harvesting, and to recognize those businesses, organizations, and individuals dedicated to conserving Texas’ precious water resources.”
The state agency selected Precinct 1’s Delta Reclamation Project for one of four 2023 Texas Rain Catcher Awards. A total of 18 entities were under consideration for the prize. Precinct 1 won in the Regional division.
The Delta Reclamation Project is pioneering water reclamation by reducing dependency on conventional water systems. Working in conjunction with Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1, the Project recaptures water from hundreds of miles of drainage ditches and creates a new regional source of water while lessening the water dependency on the Rio Grande. Part of the Project involves the creation of a 225-acre reservoir that not only facilitates water reclamation but helps the region with drainage.
“We are proud to receive this award, which acknowledges the Delta Reclamation Project’s originality, innovation, and uniqueness that stems from its pioneering application of stormwater harvesting in Texas,” said Commissioner Fuentes.
“By showcasing the successful recapture and beneficial reuse of rainwater/storm water, the project expects to set a precedence for sustainable practices and serve as a blueprint for other regions in the state,” the state conservation manager wrote of the Hidalgo County project.
