SILVERTON, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) – The Texas Water Development Board announced on Thursday that it approved more than $14.9 million in financial assistance for the City of Silverton for the planning, design and construction of a water system improvement project.

The financial aid comes from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, according to the TWDB, and for Silverton will consist of $4.99 million in financing and $10 million in principal forgiveness for the improvements. Alongside the loan forgiveness, the TWDB said Silverton could save about $1.5 million over the life of the loan by using the DWSRF.

With the assistance, the TWDB detailed that Silverton will drill three new water wells in its Swisher County well field to blend with its existing water supply to increase its water supply capacity. Silverton will also make additions including:

• A new pump station;
• A 200,000-gallon ground storage tank;
• About 59,400 of transmission line;
• Well field piping;
• A supervisory control and data acquisition system; and
• Other improvements.

The announcement of the approved financial assistance for Silverton came as part of the TWDB approving more than $211.4 million in financial assistance for water, wastewater and flood projects for communities around the state.

Further, the TWDB is also continuing to accept survey responses and public comments from Texas community members regarding the implementation of the Texas Water Fund, which was approved by voters in November 2023 and authorized a $1 billion appropriation to fund water infrastructure upgrades, water supply projects and a statewide water public awareness program. The surveys and comment opportunity will remain open until April 30.