Hidalgo, Cameron counties receive $11M in funding for water projects

U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez on Monday announced more than $11 million in grants for water projects in Brownsville, La Feria, Donna and Hidalgo County.

In a news release, Gonzalez said his district, which encompasses Cameron County north to Kingsville and a portion of Hidalgo County, will receive $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,” the release stated.

The projects include:

>> $5 million for the Brownsville Public Utilities Board Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project, reclamation funding;

>> $3.3 million for the Donna Irrigation District’s Lateral 22 and South Crossover Piping Project, reclamation funding;

>> $2,561,545 for Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 1’s Main Canal Lining Project, reclamation funding;

>> and $106,454 for La Feria Irrigation District Cameron County No. 3’s Telemetry to Conserve Water in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, reclamation funding.

“South Texans know all too well the detrimental effects that drought can have on our local economy and our food supply,” Gonzalez stated. “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 grants provide a 50/50 cost share for the irrigation and water districts and aim to bolster projects focused on conserving and using water more efficiently; increasing hydropower production; mitigating conflict risk in areas that have a high risk for future water conflict; and accomplishing other benefits to water supply reliability, according to the release.

The projects were selected through a competitive process and projects that can be completed within two to three years were the focus.