$12.6 Million Locked-In for New Water Well + $3.4 Million for Water Treatment Plant Expansion
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has approved $16.15 million in financial assistance for the City of Del Rio through the SWIFT program. This funding will support two key projects: the construction of a new water well and associated pipelines, and the expansion of the city's water treatment plant to increase its capacity from 18.2 to 22.4 million gallons per day. TWDB newsroom press release stated: “The City could save approximately $119,000 over the life of the loans by using the SWIFT program.”
Read Full Press Release: TWDB Press Release (July 24, 2025)
$12,695,000 for construction of a water system
$3,455,000 for water treatment plant expansion
What does this mean? The city’s plans are becoming reality. The affordable federal loan (SWIFT) has been approved, the next step will be funding transfer. TWDB specified within their approval announcement that funding is specifically for the new water system (the new well) and water treatment plant. Using SWIFT is advantageous for the city because the low interest rates offer long-term cost savings on loan repayment.
Planning and design are almost complete for the new municipal well; it is located on city property adjacent to the San Felipe Golf Course. Biological and water testing has already begun on the designated site. At least $12.69 million will be utilized, in total, for the planning, design, and construction of the new well. It will feed into the existing water treatment plant, hence the necessary $3.45 million plant expansion project.
Other solutions were proposed, and alternative priorities were planned, but throughout the execution things have shifted around. Renovations to the Bedell Pump station will come secondary to the new well construction. The Bedell Pump station improvements would help with the city’s ability to continue development and potentially regulate water pressure. While the new well provides security to the city’s existing population, supplying an alternative water source so that residents do not rely on the existing wells, which are all either dilapidated and/or contaminated.
Read Water Master Plan: City of Del Rio Water Master Plan Addendum
Del Rio News Network has been following the Water Crisis story all year long.
Please explore the articles linked below to learn more!
JUNE 25, 2025 – It may be a hard pill to swallow, but Del Rio water rates have not increased appropriately over the last decade, and now the city is playing catch up. There is no working around it, the city needs to invest in infrastructure and needs loans to do so. Burkhart provided context: “TWDB for our SWIFT funding, our clean water revolving fund applications, our drinking water revolving loan applications, our Texas military loan application… all of those are dependent upon our ability to make our debt payment. This is how you as a council will be illustrating to those financial entities that we are solvent, we are always going to make our debt payment, and this is our commitment to that effort.”
JUNE 4, 2025 – These plans provide a crucial roadmap for addressing key challenges facing Del Rio's infrastructure. ICE, the engineer project managers who produced the document, included images and references of studies and analysis conducted by the city, some that had never before been released to the public. Including some controversial topics such as the Hamilton Well studies, Asbestos water lines, and TxDOT interstate developments. They outline strategies for tackling aging infrastructure, accommodating anticipated population growth, and ensuring a reliable and high-quality supply of water for residents, businesses, county, state, and federal agencies.
MAY 18, 2025 – Public Works Director Greg Velazquez and City Manager Shawna Burkhart got their application for SWIFT loan funds approved by City Council on May 13, 2025. The City of Del Rio requested help from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) through the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) program. According to City Council records, the SWIFT program offers affordable, alternative financing options for water infrastructure projects that are recommended in the State Water Plan.
MAY 11, 2025 – Regardless of cost concerns, the city needs more water, and the new well project is moving full steam ahead. Burkhart thinks the city could receive funding as soon as October 2025.
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