The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) today approved by resolution the amount of $12,000,000 to the City of Brownwood in loans from the Texas Water Development Fund to finance wastewater system improvements.

The City of Brownwood intends to use the funds to make improvements to its wastewater treatment plant and the Slayden Street Lift Station. In addition, the City is proposing the development of a supplemental water supply treatment facility for Direct Potable Reuse.

“This is just another step in the process,” said Brownwood City Manager Bobby Rountree. “These funds will be used to make improvements to the existing wastewater treatment plant as well as construction of a supplemental plant if it is approved.”

Rountree said improvements to the existing wastewater treatment plant are necessary whether the supplemental reuse plant moves forward or not.  He said that designs of the supplemental water reuse plant are currently in the hands of TCEQ.  Once TCEQ gives the green light on the design, the Brownwood City Council will have to approve the construction of the reuse plant before any plan and design is implemented.   Rountree said that they have a two year period to determine if they will proceed with the project to use the TWDB funds.

The Brownwood City Council unanimously approved entering into a professional services agreement with Hearn Engineering in January for a preliminary design of a new water treatment facility. The City has been developing a plan to treat and reuse the city’s wastewater to help extend the life of the city’s water supply because of low lake levels and current drought conditions.

The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional planning and preparing the State Water Plan for the development of the state’s water resources. The TWDB administers cost-effective financial programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and agricultural water conservation projects.

See past related articles below

TCEQ Addresses City Council on Water Reuse Plan – Video

Varied Opinions Form over Brownwood’s Waste Water Reuse Project

Brownwood Takes Next Step in Water Reuse Plan