Texas receives BECC grants for water infrastructure projects

Marathon and Presidio in Texas, US have received technical assistance grants for water infrastructure projects from the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC).

The Marathon Water Supply & Sewer Service has received a technical assistance grant of $98,400 under the BECC’s Project Development Assistance Program. It will be used for a preliminary engineering report (PER) which will be used to identify ways to rehabilitate the current system, and options for adding new services. It will provide background information on current problems with the sewer system and past attempts to address the issues, as well as a environment information document (EID).

The City of Presidio’s proposed water system improvement project will add a second water storage tank to contribute to the sustainability of Presidio’s existing water system. Presidio will receive an $80,000 BECC technical assistance grant to describe the current situation, analyse alternatives and propose a specific course of action from an engineering perspective. The city will also complete an environmental report and a facility plan to provide recommendations for a water system extension and for the sizing and location of the new tank.

US Representative Pete Gallego said that upgrading the infrastructure in West Texas is important, where getting water is still a challenge.

"These projects will not only create jobs and bring money into the local economy; they will also conserve water and help ensure a healthy water supply for years to come," Gallego added.

BECC general manager Maria Elena Giner said that with a technical assistance grant, project sponsors such as Marathon and Presidio can get the support needed to move these projects forward.

"This funding goes towards helping small communities complete the development and planning of proposed projects in order to meet certification requirements," Giner added.