The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has approved financial assistance totaling $45,350,700 for the City of Marble Falls in Burnet County. This funding is designated for improvements to the city's wastewater system.
The assistance includes $25,606,200 from the Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF), which consists of $14,340,000 in financing and $11,266,200 in grant funds. Additionally, $19,744,500 will come from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), comprising $12,930,000 in financing and $6,814,500 in principal forgiveness.
City officials estimate that utilizing these funds could save approximately $9.1 million over the life of the loans with FIF and about $4.9 million with CWSRF.
In 2021, Marble Falls received FIF funding to relocate its existing wastewater treatment plant out of a floodplain and to decommission and restore the current site. The city sought additional FIF funding for this project's initial phase. With CWSRF's help, they plan to expand this phase's capacity to handle 3 million gallons per day.
The FIF was established by the 86th Texas Legislature and approved by voters through a constitutional amendment in 2019. It aims to fund drainage projects as well as flood mitigation and control efforts.
The TWDB is responsible for collecting water-related data across Texas and assists with regional water and flood planning. It also administers financial programs supporting water supply construction projects alongside wastewater treatment and agricultural water conservation initiatives.