Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) announces funding and legislative language to protect clean drinking water in rural areas and colonias in South Texas.

The House of Representatives passed the measures as part of the Omnibus Appropriations Act earlier this month.

“Managing the natural resources that we all have to share is a fundamental role of government,” said Congressman Cuellar. “These common-sense programs protect us from waterborne disease, severe flood damage, and other environment-related harm. I secured this funding so my constituents in colonias and rural areas, and Americans in similar communities all over the country, can have safe drinking water for their families.”

Provisions supported by Congressman Cuellar included:

·         $64 million for Rural Water & Waste Disposal Program grants for Colonias, Native Americans, & Alaskan Native Villages

·         $1.4 billion for Clean Water State Revolving Funds

·         $863,233,000 for Drinking Water State Revolving Funds

·         $10 million for Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program Account

Congressman Cuellar has consistently fought for these types of infrastructure and public health measures on behalf of his constituents. On May 12, 2017, officials in Zapata County, Texas broke ground on a project to improve their aging, over-capacity wastewater treatment plant. The improvements will be funded by a $4.8 million load and a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Program, which Congressman Cuellar assisted the county with security in 2010.

The Omnibus Appropriations Act funds the government for fiscal year 2017. It also included many other key legislative accomplishments for Congressman Cuellar, including support for education, low-income people, Rio Grande Valley citrus growers, and good governance.