Money to be used for Water and Wastewater studies

Washington, DC (October 22, 2007) – Rep. Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX) announced today that he has secured $200,000 in federal grants to fund assessments of the water and sewer systems in Edcouch and La Villa. Each city will receive $100,000 respectively. The money will fund four studies that will identify deficiencies in the systems and help the two communities plan for improvements. The reviews are needed in order for Edcouch and La Villa to access grants that will help them finance any needed improvements. The studies are estimated to be completed in three months.  

“The residents of La Villa and Edcouch deserve a reliable supply of clean water, yet their water treatment systems have not been updated in decades,” said Hinojosa. “It is vitally important that we protect the Valley’s precious water supply and ensure that these communities have the necessary infrastructure to thrive. This will be especially important as business projects, such as Edcouch’s Mercado Delta scheduled to open next May, come to these cities.”

“We appreciate the opportunity to coordinate with Congressman Hinojosa in identifying these important projects for the communities of Edcouch and La Villa,” said Daniel Chacon, Border Environment Cooperation Commission’s General Manager. “Through this technical assistance, critical planning studies will be completed which are needed to access other funding sources to implement the project. We look forward to working closely with the communities of Edcouch and La Villa to achieve a successful solution.”

Hinojosa secured the funding from the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC). The Commission identifies environmental infrastructure projects by means of a binational team. The BECC specifically manages technical assistance funds that provide financial assistance to border communities such as Edcouch and La Villa.