The Brownsville Public Utilities Board, a Texas public power utility, has received notice that two of its grant applications are being considered for funding by the Bureau of Reclamation, it said on Feb. 3.
The first project, “Well Reconstruction, New Well Construction, and Facility Improvements at the Southmost Regional Water Authority (SRWA) Brackish Groundwater Treatment Facility,” could receive $5 million in funding, which BPUB would match. This funding would cover initial costs for what is expected to be a 30-year project.
The second project, the “Resaca De La Guerra Resilience and Restoration Project,” is being considered for $3 million in funding from Reclamation, with BPUB contributing $1.65 million for the project’s completion from community funds provided by the resaca fee. Both applications are currently under review to ensure compliance and funding eligibility.
“We are happy to learn two of our grant applications have been recognized among the highest-rated by the Bureau of Reclamation,” BPUB General Manager and CEO, Marilyn Gilbert, said. “As we continue to collaborate with Reclamation, we are hopeful these projects will receive the necessary funding for BPUB and the Brownsville community to lower dependency on shared water sources, increase water supply and improve the ecological health of the area.”
Moving forward, Reclamation will work in tandem with BPUB to develop a financial assistance agreement after reviewing the activities outlined in the proposals and narrowing the scope of the project if necessary.
