WILLIAMSON COUNTY PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

 

TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD APPROVES $1,334,000 GRANT/LOAN TO NORTHRIDGE WSC FOR WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

 

September 24, 2004 (Austin, TX) – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved $1,334,000 in financial assistance to the Northridge Water Supply Corporation (Corporation), consisting of a $1,000,000 grant from the Small Community Hardship Program (SCHP) and a $334,000 loan from the TWDB’s Rural Water Assistance Fund to finance improvements to its water system.

In September 1999, the Corporations water well became inoperable. The City of Round Rock agreed to install a temporary hook-up to one of its fire plugs for water supply. The fire hydrant has continued to be the community’s water supply source. In August 2000, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) placed the Corporation under enforcement order for items of non-compliance with TCEQ regulations. In October 2000, the Corporation was placed under receivership by the Travis County District Court. In June 2004, the receiver submitted an application for funding from the Texas Water Development Boards SCHP.

This much-needed and long awaited project was developed through extensive cooperative efforts between the neighborhood, the Corporation, Travis County, Williamson County, City of Austin, and the TWDB.

The project will replace the Corporations existing water distribution system. The construction will consist of: 1) 13,490 linear feet of 8-inch and 12-inch water lines; 2) the installation of 22 fire hydrants; 3) the construction of service laterals; 4) the installation of new water meters; 5) pavement repairs; and 6) the demolition of the existing water treatment facilities.

The Corporation is located southwest of the intersection of IH 35 and Farm to Market Road (FM) 1325. The Corporation is located in both north central Travis County and south central Williamson County. The Corporation is also in the City of Austin’s Extra-territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). The Corporation has a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) for the provision of water to approximately 129 connections. Currently there is water service to approximately 93 active connections. The residents rely upon septic systems for wastewater.

The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional planning, preparing the State Water Plan for the development of the states water resources, and administering cost-effective financial programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control and agricultural water conservation projects.

-30-