Breckenridge Texan

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) recently approved a resolution for $7,800,229 in state and federal financial assistance to the City of Breckenridge, including

• $3,637,809 from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), consisting of a $2,325,000 loan and $1,312,809 in loan forgiveness, and
• $4,162,420 from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), consisting of a $2,935,000 loan and $1,227,420 in loan forgiveness.

The City will use the assistance to finance planning, design, and construction costs associated with water and wastewater system projects.

“What we’ve got is roughly 40,000 foot of pipe selected, and we’ll see what money we have by the time everything’s done in material increases, how much of that we can do,” said Houston Satterwhite, Public Works Director for the City of Breckenridge. “And that will get rid of 100-year-old pipe that I constantly have to dig up the street for.”

Additionally, some of the funds will be used to replace water meters that aren’t accurate anymore, he said.

In addition to the loan forgiveness, the City could save approximately $2 million over the life of the loans by using the DWSRF and CWSRF programs.

With the $3,637,809 from the DWSRF, the City will make upgrades to its water treatment plant and the raw water intake structure at Lake Daniel. In addition, the City proposes to rehabilitate portions of its distribution system to address water loss. The project also includes the development of an asset management plan.

With the $4,162,420 provided by the CWSRF, the City will rehabilitate lift stations as well as manholes and collection lines in various parts of the City’s wastewater collection system. Improvements will also be made at the City’s wastewater treatment plant to handle increased flows during rain events.

“I’ve got a lot of a sewer system needs that haven’t been addressed in a long, long time,” Satterwhite said. “You know, some of its from the original sewer system that is causing me a big headache.

“The pipe’s 50 years past it’s practical use, you know, it’s lifespan.” he continued. “At roughly that age, you’re supposed to already be designing and planning replacement. We’re twice past that.”

The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional water and flood planning, and preparing the state water and flood plans. The TWDB administers cost-effective financial assistance programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and agricultural water conservation projects.