City Expecting $23 Million for Utility Projects

The City's existing Water Treatment Plant is expected to double its capacity to meet projected demand.

Officials with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) will be meeting in March to finalize approval of $22.8 million in utility infrastructure for the City of La Joya. These funds will ensure continued service delivery of water and wastewater for the growing community for years to come.

A portion of these funds will finance the $7.1 million Water Treatment Plant (WTP) expansion from its current capacity of 0.8 Million Gallons per Day (MGD) to 1.6 MGD. This doubles the City's current capacity for new homes and businesses.

The second project is for the new $18.7 million Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), consisting of $15.7 million in new funds and $3.0 million in existing funds. The new plant has a capacity of 1.2 MGD.

The Public Utility Department (PUD) currently operates a lagoon system to treat its wastewater.

The TWDB funds these projects through its Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) and its Clean Water SRF. The City qualified for 70 percent loan forgiveness.

The City has been working on these projects for more than five years, having submitted competitive applications to the TWDB. The City assembled a team of professionals to submit this latest application. The team consisted of RRP Consulting Engineers, LLC (formerly S&B Infrastructure), HillTop Securities as financial advisors, and Cantu Harden Montoya as bond counsel. The City's Public Utility Department (PUD) coordinated the effort with the support the Finance Department and City Secretary's Office.