Fuentes: Delta Region Water Management Project is the first of its kind in the nation

WESLACO, Texas – Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes has given the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service an exclusive interview on economic development and drainage.

The interview was secured during Fuentes’ appearance at the official ribbon cutting ceremony for Glazer’s Beer & Beverage’s 253,200 square foot distribution facility within Weslaco’s new Mid Valley International Industrial Park.

“This particular area was very vulnerable to flooding. As a matter of fact, back in 2018 we had over 300 homes that were affected by rainwater. They had over 18 inches of rain inside their homes. Since then, we had the 2018 bond issuance. We’ve invested over $12 million in infrastructure in this area,” Fuentes said.

The Guardian particularly wanted to interview Fuentes to learn more about the much-vaunted Delta Region Water Management Project. Fuentes said the project is the first of its kind in the United States. It will be celebrated at a ceremony on Mile 17th Road, halfway between La Villa and Lyford, on April 25.

A flyer produced by Hidalgo County Precinct 1 to promote a Delta Region Water Management event.

“The reclamation project came about through our 2018 bond budget. It actually started before 2018 because we identified it as a critical part of our Main Drain expansion,” Fuentes said.

“So, a lot of times, when we can’t create linear space, we try to find detention facilities. We buy large tracts of acres, and we tie in our drainage systems to those acres so that it’ll be like an off system holding cell for water.”

In this particular case, the project creates capacity along the Main Drain system, Fuentes said.

“This is a 225-acre detention facility, which also happens to be a water supply for us. This reclamation project is the first of its kind in the entire United States.”

Reclaimed water has been used for irrigation purposes in lots of places, Fuentes acknowledged.

“But in this particular case, we’re using drainage water which really hasn’t been used before. And on top of that, we’re actually going to clean it to a state with a reverse osmosis system, which technically means, you could drink the water coming out of this water plant that’s going to be pulling water off of this drainage system.”

So, for Hidalgo County Precinct 1, the Delta Region Water Management Project is a water supply project, Fuentes argued.

“It’s the first of its kind. Thanks to TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) we’ve got four permits along the Main Drain where we could put in water plants. This is going to be our pilot. This is going to be our first one ever,” Fuentes said, proudly.

Fuentes said workers at the facility have just concluded the testing phase.

“Next month – we believe in about 30 days or so – we’re going to be submitting a report to TCEQ with all of the findings that will summarize the testing that we conducted along that retention,” Fuentes said.

“So once TCEQ gives us the green light – they basically they give us the testing protocol that has been approved – we can build a water plant, with clean water and sell it as potable water.”

The proviso, however, is that the potable water cannot be sold directly by Hidalgo County, Fuentes explained.

“The county can’t sell to an end user. We don’t have a CCM. We will be selling to a water supply corporation, somebody that could provide that water. But it’s going to be at a very clean state and it’s going to provide us with up to five million gallons a day of water. And we all know what the drought situation is right now. Anywhere we can find water, it’s always a good thing.”

Asked how much the Delta Region Water Management Project is costing, Fuentes said:

“The flood mitigation component came from two different bond projects. The 2018 bond and 2023 bond. We’ve allocated more than $20 million to the acquisition of land, to the excavation, to start creating the holding cells that would be necessary for it. We’re still in the process of finding funding for the water plant itself. We’re working with the Texas Water Development Board with TCEQ and exploring different ways to try to fund it without really burdening the taxpayers with having to finance a $30 million water plant. So as of right now what we’re doing is we’re looking for the funding.”

Fuentes said producing five million gallons of potable water per day can only be good for the Rio Grande Valley.

“Once we get to full capacity in this particular water plant, we will be talking about five million gallons a day. I can’t tell you the number of households that would affect but I do know that it’s a much-needed resource right now, what with the Mexico and U.S. (water) treaty and water allocations and what is ours and what is theirs,” Fuentes said.

“The reality is, we’re short on water. So, these five million gallons a day would be able to help support our water plants. We just had the sugar mill in La Villa close. That affected over 400 individuals, losing their jobs. So, it’s already having an economic impact, this lack of water. So, anything that we can do to try to support that demand, we’re excited to do it. Again, this is the first time something like this has been done and we’re very proud of that. We can’t wait for tomorrow to really celebrate.”

Editor’s Note: Here is the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service’s exclusive video interview with Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes on economic development and water:

The post Fuentes: Delta Region Water Management Project is the first of its kind in the nation appeared first on Rio Grande Guardian.