Del Rio, Texas, April 12, 2001 — Congressman Henry Bonilla was present today to break ground on the city of Del Rio's new 16 million gallons per day (mgd) water treatment plant.
The ceremony took place at the future site of the plant just east of the San Felipe Springs.
"The new Del Rio water treatment plant is great news for every resident of the city. People deserve clean and properly treated water. This plant is going to guarantee that when they turn on their faucets, clean water will flow," said Congressman Bonilla.
After the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) designated the San Felipe Springs water source as sub-standard, the city took action to construct the water treatment plant. This is just one component of the city's planned $44.63 million water improvements project.
"This groundbreaking ceremony marks a very special day for the city of Del Rio and Val Verde County," said Mayor Dora Alcala. "As mayor, one of my top priorities has been to ensure that the citizens of Del Rio have clean water. Today, this becomes a reality thanks to support from leaders at both the state and federal levels, as well as from our partners, the North American Development Bank (NADB), and the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), and the city's council members and utility commissioners." Congressman Bonilla played a vital role in securing grant funding for this project through the Bank's EPA-funded Border Environment Infrastructure Fund (BEIF). With his assistance, the NADB committed to providing the city with $14.18 million in grants.
Of that amount, $13.32 million will be allocated to construction assistance, with the remaining $847,725 dedicated to transition assistance.
"Congressman Bonilla, along with Mayor Alcala and her staff have worked hard to bring this project to fruition," said Raul Rodriguez, NADB's managing director. "We are proud to be a partner in making this project sustainable and affordable for the city of Del Rio."
Other components of this project include replacing existing untreated water pumping facilities, expanding the distribution system pump and transfer facilities and rehabilitating wells to provide additional groundwater supply.
In addition, last month the city began replacing its Bedell ground water storage tanks and booster stations, which had been leaking up to 500 million gallons of drinking water per year. Construction of the water treatment plant should be completed in approximately 18 months.
"The TWDB is very pleased to have had the opportunity to provide $25.5 million in loans to support this much-needed new water treatment plant," said Craig D. Pedersen, TWDB's Executive Administrator. "We congratulate everyone involved in making this project a reality. We know it will benefit the citizens of the city of Del Rio for many years to come."
The Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) certified this project on March 31, 1998.
