Texas Water Development Board last week began considering applications for $1 billion for water infrastructure and supply projects. The Texas Tribune said the board received 68 requests from cities and local water systems for money from the fund, which will be combined with state and federal tax dollars. The projects selected to receive funds will be announced in August.
The Tribune said most of the money will go toward low-interest loan programs to help cities and water systems upgrade drinking water systems and water conservation projects. At least $45 million will be reserved for communities with fewer than 1,000 residents. Officials said the state is losing billions of gallons of water each year because of outdated water infrastructure.
Perry Fowler, executive director of Texas Water Infrastructure Network, told The Tribune that communities can expect to see improvements to their systems from this money in about a year.