Texas Water Development Fund (DFund)

1. What can the program do for you?

The Water Development Fund (DFund) is a state funded loan program that does not receive federal subsidies and is not subject to federal crosscutters. The DFund enables the Board to fund multiple eligible components in one loan to our borrowers, e.g. an application for funding of water and wastewater components can be processed in a single loan.

2. Who can borrow?

Eligible applicants for the DFund include all political subdivisions of the state (at tax exempt rates) and nonprofit water supply corporations (at taxable rates). Political subdivisions include cities, counties, districts, and river authorities. (See additional eligibility Special Requirements below).

3. What types of projects can I use the loan funding for?

Financial assistance for water supply projects may include planning, design, and construction for:

wells
retail distribution and wholesale transmission lines
system acquisitions
pumping facilities
storage reservoirs and tanks
water treatment plants
purchase of water rights

Financial assistance for wastewater projects may include planning, design, and construction for:

sewer treatment plants
collection systems
system acquisitions
nonpoint source pollution abatement
development of new municipal solid waste disposal facilities

Financial assistance for flood control may include structural and nonstructural flood protection improvements such as:

construction of storm water retention basins
enlargement of stream channels
modification or reconstruction of bridges
acquisition of floodplain land for use in public open space
relocation of residents of buildings removed from a floodplain
public beach re-nourishment
flood warning systems
control of coastal erosion
development of flood management plans

4. Are loans and grants offered?

Due to statutory limitations, only loans are offered through the DFund. The interest rate on a DFund loan varies depending on market conditions. The lending rate scales are set at approximately the TWDB's borrowing cost. The lending rates are intended to provide reasonable rates for TWDB customers while covering the TWDB's cost of funds and risk exposure.

Current interest rates are available.

5. What project components can I receive funding to complete?

The pre-design funding option is available for most water supply, treatment, and wastewater projects and allows an eligible applicant to receive a loan commitment on the basis of preliminary engineering, environmental, economic, and social information. Funds for completing detailed planning, including environmental studies, are provided at closing, whereas funds for design, preparation of final plans and specifications, and construction are placed in escrow until needed.

If the pre-design funding option is not used, applicants seeking only construction phase funding must develop plans and specifications and have them approved by TWDB staff, obtain all necessary permits, and open bids prior to closing the loan.

6. How much funding is available?

The TWDB will sell bonds as needed to obtain proceeds for DFund which will be used to fund loans for our applicants.

7. When can I apply?

The first step in the application process is to schedule a pre-application conference with your Regional Project Implementation Team to discuss the project's eligibility. The purpose of the conference is to discuss the proposed project and receive any needed guidance and assistance. For tax-exempt borrowers, the applicant, the applicant's financial advisor, and the applicant's consulting engineer should attend this conference. Requesting a preapplication conference does not in any way obligate an applicant to continue the process.

8. What are the Conditions of Financial Assistance?

For detailed information of the Conditions of Financial Assistance

Special Requirements

Water supply projects must be consistent with the current TWDB State Water Plan
Entities receiving assistance greater than $500,000 must adopt a water conservation and drought contingency plan
U.S. Iron and Steel Manufactured Goods requirements
Review of legislative requirements regarding water loss threshold limits

Loan Process

Where Can I Get More Information?

In order to provide you with a single point of contact at the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), our project implementation staff is organized into six regional project implementation teams. Each team is led by a manager that serves as the primary point of contact for both our existing and future customers. For assistance with the application or any questions related to your project, please contact your Regional Project Implementation Team.