November 3, 2024

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Securing Essential Water Infrastructure for Sustainable Growth in Texas

October 28, 2024

Greater Houston Partnership

People are moving to Texas, and businesses are building new facilities. That rapid growth is straining resources, particularly water. According to a new report, Texas must invest $154 billion over the next 50 years in new water supply and infrastructure—critical needs to support the state’s expanding population and booming industries.The report from Texas 2036, a nonpartisan public policy think tank, highlights the urgency of this investment. Without reliable water infrastructure, Texas could face the loss of a million jobs and more than $160 billion in economic impact over the next five decades. The report underscores a stark reality: a comprehensive, sustainable funding strategy for water is necessary to keep Texas economically resilient and competitive

Patrick, Birdwell: School choice, power production, water resources among Texas priorities

October 28, 2024

Waco Tribune-Herald

In his remarks, Patrick said border security is imperative for economic reasons, and he emphasized the need to expand the state’s water and power resources.In the next 20 years, the state population is projected to grow by 12 million to 15 million people, up from the 29.1 million counted in in the 2020 census, Patrick said.He said the state must plan to ensure drinking water and electric power are available for rural and urban communities, for agricultural and industrial users

A West Texas pecan farm fights to save its water supply as neighbors sell it to growing cities

A yearslong dispute over exporting water to growing Texas cities offers a hint at the battles to come as the state’s population booms and water supply dwindles.

October 31, 2024

The Texas Tribune

FORT STOCKTON — Zachary Swick plucked a pecan from one of the 78,000 trees at a sprawling West Texas farm — a rare sight in the desert known for oil rigs and pump jacks. He peeled away the pecan’s layers, leaving a stain on his hands that would be difficult to wash off.One day, Swick said, there might not be any pecans left to peel.Swick is the farm manager at Belding Farms, which has been owned for decades by the Cockrell family. Each year, the farm produces 5 million pounds of the iconic Texas nut.

Marvin Nichols Reservoir opponents suggest Dallas-Fort Worth get its water elsewhere

October 30, 2024

Fort Worth Star Telegram

Dozens of sign-bearing, jean-sporting northeast Texans packed the meeting hall of a community center outside Pittsburg on Wednesday afternoon. A roughly 30-mile drive north along U.S. 271 — two and a half hours from Fort Worth — sat the subject of their fears and frustrations: tens of thousands of acres of forest, pasture, and wetland some Texas water planners hope to convert into a 66,000-acre reservoir preemptively christened Marvin Nichols.

Irish tunneling company Ward and Burke to build $15M facility in Georgetown

November 3, 2024

San Antonio Express-News (MYSA)

Move over?Elon Musk, another tunneling company is drilling into Central Texas. Ward and Burke Manufacturing is building a massive $15 million facility in a fast-growing city outside of Austin, according to a new?Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing.?

House resolution includes water infrastructure funding for Brownsville

November 1, 2024

Rio Grande Valley Monitor

The Brownsville Public Utilities Board reported Wednesday that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (ITIC) has included an authorization for Brownsville in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, which could mean federal funding for critical water infrastructure projects in the city.

Harlingen borrowing $11 million to help fund $258 million sewer project

November 1, 2024

Rio Grande Valley Monitor

HARLINGEN — For the second time, the Harlingen WaterWorks System’s turning to the state to help fund the city’s biggest project — a $258 million, five-year plan aimed at overhauling its old sewer system.

Now, officials are requesting the Texas Water Development Board grant an $11 million low interest loan likely calling for a 30% WaterWorks match.

Sherman considers price tag for new wastewater treatment plant

November 1, 2024

Herald Democrat

Sherman city leaders will consider approving a $288 million price tag for improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment capabilities. Next week, the city council is expected to consider multiple requests related to a contract for ongoing work at the city’s wastewater treatment plant that will allow it to service the future Texas Instruments and Global Wafers production sites.The new industrial wastewater treatment plant will be built alongside the city’s longtime treatment plant but be designed to handle the kinds of flows and chemicals that will be produced by Texas Instruments and GlobalWafers when the companies begin production in their new facilities sometime next year.

City of Marshall's water conservation alert to last through mid-November

November 1, 2024

The Marshall News Messenger

The City of Marshall says an ongoing water conservation alert will be in effect until mid-November, at which point water system operations are expected to return to normal as new pumps are installed.The city declared a Stage 4 water conservation alert on Sept. 30 for residents and businesses because of a failed water pump. The failed water pump caused the city’s reservoir, usually full at 14 feet, to begin losing water a half a foot every two hours until it reached a depth of 2.5 feet.

City announces water, sewer rate increase

Palestine Herald-Press

November 1, 2024

The city of Palestine is implementing water and sewer rate increases this month.Finance Director for the City of Palestine Andrew Sibai said the rates for water were increased by 5% and the rates for sewer were raised by 6.3% for the average user, which he said was approximately 5,000 gallons per month.“We did a utility rate study and looked at what our capital projects are for the next five to 10 years that we need to be prepared to fund,” he said with regard to how the city decided how much they would need to raise these utility rates.

Mayor Cowen, Congressman Gonzalez, discuss Brownsville’s big desalination project

Brownsville Mayor John Cowen says the city’s desalination project can help with sustainability. He noted that 70 percent of the city’s water currently comes from the Rio Grande.

October 30, 2024

Rio Grande Guardian

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The City of Brownsville’s big desalination project, which will cost around $250 million, should be completed by 2030, says Mayor John Cowen, Jr.The Rio Grande Guardian interviewed Mayor Cowen and Congressman Vicente Gonzalez about the project at a recent press conference held to announce more funding for Brownsville’s Resaca Restoration project. Cowen said Gonzalez is playing his part to get the funding.“We’re doing everything that we need to do to make sure we’re eligible for this funding. So, we have all the studies (completed) that that are required.” Cowen said, referring to money for desalination.

Water rates increasing in Pflugerville as city expands capacity to meet growing needs

October 30, 3024

KVUE ABC Austin

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas — Pflugerville residents will see an increase in their next utility bill after new water and wastewater rates went into effect earlier this month.Those charges will be reflected in residents’ November utility bill.The average residential customer will see an increase of about $7.50 to their water base charge and $4 to their wastewater base charge, plus a water use volume charge. The city says on average, the rate hike will end up costing residents about an extra $18 a month.

Brown water, extreme chlorine smells: E. coli found near Floresville water sparks outrage

October 30, 2024

KSAT 12 News San Antonio

WILSON COUNTY, Texas – Forty-five homes in a subdivision near Floresville, Texas depend on a well for water, but they tell KSAT that for about two years now, the water quality has them afraid for their health.The well is in the Arrowhead subdivision and has been owned by Central States Water Resources (CSWR) since 2020.Neighbors like Carrie Wilcoxson said the frequent brown water in their homes began in early 2021.

Conroe council denies waivers for new residential development under 120-day moratorium

October 28, 2024

Houston Chronicle

Conroe City Council upheld a decision to deny waivers for two developers under the?city’s building moratorium?as the city faces growing water issues due to a lack of infrastructure.

The requests include Beazer Homes for two sections of?Madeley Creek off League Line Road, KB Homes for a splash pad, section one of Grace Landing near Seven Coves Road,?and section one of Sagecrest Landing near League Line Road.

Extremely dry weather leading to growing number of water line breaks

October 28, 2024

KDFM 6 CBS

Beaumont — City crews in Beaumont and the surrounding area are responding to a growing number of water line breaks stemming from the extremely dry weather.

The City of Beaumont says the numbers rival the responses last year when water line breaks spiked in the drought.

"Our Water Utilities Department is working hard to address these leaks as quickly as possible," says the City of Beaumont in a Facebook post. "We continue to advise citizens to call 311 if you have a water leak or see a water leak anywhere in the city. By calling 311, the City is able to immediately create a work order for the Water Utilities Department to make the needed repairs. Thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter."

Muleshoe seeks to replace aging water lines

My Plainview

October 28, 2204

City Manager Ramon Sanchez said the city will be applying for a development block grant, and if approved, SPAG will be the consultant on the project.?Sanchez says these are repairs the city does “periodically” as they are looking to upgrade older water lines throughout the city.?Muleshoe will be applying for a grant totaling $750,000, and Sanchez added that it’s the city’s goal to repair around 4,000 linear feet of water lines.?

Former KWSC board member speaks out on water crisis amid infrastructure challenges

October 28, 2024

KXXV 25 ABC

After a main water line broke and a secondary leak, Kempner Water Supply Corporation and the City of Lampasas decided to leave the pipes alone over the weekend. Monday, Kempner shut off the valves.

KEMPNER, Texas (KXXV) — Former Kempner Water Supply board member Keith Turner spoke out for the first time as the community's water woes continued."A lot of that is due to the age of the system, and that's going to continue when you're dealing with something that's been down there for 50 years – nothing is built to last forever," Turner said.