Title
Consideration of and action on the adoption of a resolution by the City Council of the City of Deer Park, Texas, authorizing the submission of an application to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for a Water Supply and Infrastructure Grant (WSIG).
Body
Summary:
The WSIG program was established by House Bill 500 during the 89th Texas Legislative Session. The program provides 100 percent grant funding -- no local match is required -- for eligible water supply and water infrastructure projects. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) administers the program and will award grants on a competitive basis based on project type, socioeconomic need, and State Water Plan consistency.
The City of Deer Park's water distribution system includes a significant volume of aging cast iron and galvanized steel water mains that have reached the end of their service life. The system is experiencing a high and increasing frequency of main breaks, particularly along the 10-inch and 8-inch cast iron mains through the center of the city, with additional failures on 6-inch mains and 2-inch galvanized residential lines. These failures require emergency response, create service disruptions for customers, and contribute to documented water loss throughout the system.
Water line replacement is already included in the City's adopted Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), with $5.5 million programmed over five years. The WSIG application represents an opportunity to significantly accelerate that work with state grant funding, reducing the burden on the City's operating and capital budgets.
The proposed project involves the replacement of deteriorated cast iron and galvanized water distribution mains within the City's water service area. The full replacement need encompasses approximately 69,000 linear feet of water main. The WSIG application will request funding to advance the highest-priority segments through planning, engineering design, and construction.
The City is applying to the Texas Water Development Board's Water Supply and Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) program for $10,000,000 to fund the planning, acquisition, and design phase of the water line replacement project. The WSIG provides 100 percent grant funding with no local match required, and Deer Park's funding cap under the applicable population tier is $21,000,000 per project. The project is consistent with the Water Loss Reduction Water Management Strategy in the Region H 2026 Regional Water Plan. The application deadline is July 30, 2026.
Fiscal/Budgetary Impact:
There is no local match required under the WSIG program.
Recommended action
Approve the resolution authorizing the submission of a Water Supply and Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) application to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) on behalf of the City of Deer Park, including all required application documents, certifications, and affidavits.