East RGV News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On May 1, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) announced that four entities in the 34th Congressional District will receive a total of $11,057,999, in Water and Energy Efficiency Grants from the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation. The funds are part of the 2023 WaterSMART Grants funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that Congressman Gonzalez voted for. 

 

“South Texans know all too well the detrimental effects that drought can have on our local economy and our food supply”, stated Congressman Gonzalez. “The funding provided by this program will enhance water systems across the Rio Grande Valley. I look forward to continue working with our local leaders to ensure we deliver results and solutions for our community.”

 

The projects are as follows: 

 

· Brownsville Public Utilities Board, Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project, Reclamation Funding:  

o    $5,000,000  

· Donna Irrigation District, Lateral 22 and South Crossover Piping Project, Reclamation Funding:  

o    $3,300,000  

· Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 1, Main Canal Lining Project, Reclamation Funding:  

o    $2,561,545  

· La Feria Irrigation District Cameron County No. 3, Telemetry to Conserve Water in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Reclamation Funding:  

o    $106,454  

 

Through WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants (formerly Challenge Grants) Reclamation provides 50/50 cost share funding to irrigation and water districts, tribes, states and other entities with water or power delivery authority. Projects conserve and use water more efficiently; increase the production of hydropower; mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future water conflict; and accomplish other benefits that contribute to water supply reliability in the western United States. Projects are selected through a competitive process and the focus is on projects that can be completed within two or three years. 

Original source can be found here.