Texas Water Development Board approves $69,511,030 in financial assistance to co-fund canal lining and conversion projects in the Rio Grande Valley

For immediate release. Contact: Media Relations at 512-865-0518

AUSTIN, TEXAS (September 10, 2026) - Today, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved $69,511,030 in Water Supply Infrastructure Grants for canal lining and conversion projects in the Rio Grande Valley, co-funded with the North American Development Bank (NADBank).

“Water is a precious resource that Texas must safeguard,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “Last session Texas delivered the largest water investment in state history: $20 billion for new supply and infrastructure, plus more than $1 billion in House Bill 500 grants. Today the Texas Water Development Board approved more than $69 million of those grants for canal and pipeline projects in the Rio Grande Valley. These projects will conserve nearly 44,000 acre-feet of water each year and deliver more reliable water to farms and families in South Texas.”

These funds were made available by House Bill 500, passed by the 89th Texas Legislature and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott, which appropriated $1.038 billion in funds for water supply and infrastructure projects to the Texas Water Development Board. A portion of that appropriation was included for joint funded efforts with the North American Development Bank’s Water Resiliency Program to address canal lining and conversion projects. For these projects, TWDB financial assistance provides approximately 50 percent of the proposed project costs for eligible projects, with NADBank and other funding covering the remaining project costs.

“We are excited to partner with NADBank to maximize our combined resources and advance our shared commitment to helping Rio Grande Valley communities conserve their water resources and improve the reliability of their water supplies,” said TWDB Chairwoman L’Oreal Stepney.

This grant solicitation resulted in applications from 13 irrigation districts in the Lower Rio Grande Valley for this opportunity, and projects were prioritized according to the amount of water saved or conserved, community benefits, other environmental benefits, cost-effectiveness, and project readiness.

The 17 projects approved for funding are expected to conserve nearly 44,000 acre-feet of water annually through infrastructure improvements such as canal lining, canal-to-pipeline conversions and system efficiency upgrades:

$6,500,000 to Cameron County Irrigation District No. 6 for canal lining improvements
$6,000,000 to Cameron County Irrigation District No. 2 for canal lining improvements and a canal-to-pipeline conversion
$2,215,043 to Delta Lake Irrigation District for pump station rehabilitation and a canal-to-pipeline conversion
$529,089 to Delta Lake Irrigation District for a canal-to-pipeline conversion
$1,023,802 to Delta Lake Irrigation District for pump station rehabilitation and a canal-to-pipeline conversion
$1,150,000 to Donna Irrigation District for canal lining improvements
$160,000 to Engelman Irrigation District for a canal-to-pipeline conversion
$1,374,816 to Harlingen Irrigation District Cameron County No. 1 for pump station relocation and a canal-to-pipeline conversion
$7,749,388 to Harlingen Irrigation District Cameron County No. 1 for a canal-to-pipeline conversion
$6,000,000 to Hidalgo and Cameron County Irrigation District No. 9 for a canal-to-pipeline conversion
$5,000,000 to Hidalgo County Consolidated Water Control and Improvement District for canal lining improvements
$5,040,671 to Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 1 for canal lining improvements
$4,625,164 to Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 1 for canal lining improvements
$3,137,922 to Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 6 for pump station improvements, canal lining improvements, and a canal-to-pipeline conversion
$8,005,136 to Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 6 for pump station construction and canal lining improvements
$6,000,000 to La Feria Irrigation District Cameron County #3 for a canal-to-pipeline conversion
$5,000,000 to United Irrigation District for canal lining improvements

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 mitigation, and agricultural water conservation projects.

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