Gonzalez: I’ve secured $23 million from the Bureau of Reclamation for RGV irrigation districts

As you all know, water is the lifeblood of our communities. Unfortunately, South Texans know all too well the impacts water shortage and droughts have on our agriculture industry, irrigation districts and ultimately, our municipalities. 

That’s why I’ve long advocated for strengthening and modernizing our water storage infrastructure. Over the last two years, I’ve secured over $23 million through the Bureau of Reclamation’s Water Smart Grants for irrigation districts within my district.

This has funded projects that focus on canal lining, water conservation and pipe improvements. 

In fact, earlier this month, I secured $2 million for the Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 2, through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, for construction of infrastructure that brings efficiency and improvements to canal discharge pipes and pumping plants.

As a primary provider for raw water supply to the City of Pharr these improvements will result in overall water savings and conservations for the city. Water infrastructure projects like these are vital steps towards modernizing our region’s infrastructure to meet the needs of climate change and population growth.

While continued investments like these are necessary for long term solutions for drought resiliency, we must continue to pressure our southern neighbor to ensure timely and reliable water deliveries. I’ve been working closely with the US State Department and Mexican President-Elect Claudia Sheinbaum to move the needle on this issue and finally get our water repayments. 

It’s important we work together as a region like you all are doing here today to find sustainable solutions to address our water shortage. 

Editor’s Note: Congressman Vicente Gonzalez provided these remarks via a video connection at the recent Deep South Texas State of Water Symposium. The event, held in Pharr, was organized by state Sen. Juan Hinojosa of McAllen, state Rep. Terry Canales of Edinburg, along with the Texas Water Foundation. Here are the remarks of the two state legislators:

“The Rio Grande Valley faces a critical water supply deficit, with its primary sources, the Amistad and Falcon international reservoirs, currently at 19% and 12% of capacity, respectively. These reservoirs account for over 90% of the region’s water supply. For decades, experts have warned that our region’s growing population, aging irrigation infrastructure, and reliance on Mexico make the Rio Grande Valley vulnerable to water shortages. We cannot wait on external forces. We know the issues,” said Sen. Hinojosa.

“It is time for us to unite, identify, and implement strategies to diversify our water supply. Local buy in and proactive action are essential. We must evolve beyond the policy of merely encouraging entities within the region to cooperate to resolve water issues. Our local water providers must set aside self-interest to maximize our purchasing power to make any ambitious solution a reality for the greater good of the region.” 

“In my 12 years as an elected member of the Texas House of Representatives, I have seen one issue firsthand affecting the present and future of the Rio Grande Valley. For far too long, our region has been dependent on receiving water through the 1944 Water Treaty with Mexico and the wishful thinking of heavy rain. Still, at some point, our luck is going to run out,” said Rep. Canales.

“(We must) unify all local water entities as we work towards a better future for our region—a future secured through a sustainable and diverse water portfolio. This strategy is, crucial for our stability moving forward.”

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