Billions
of dollars could soon be available to improve water systems
throughout Texas including our area's supply. State and locally residents could be looking at a larger water
supply in the upcoming years.
Texas
Representative Four Price says the water demand is crucial as the
drought continues to affect many parts of the state. Price was one of
the authors of House Bill 4 which would provide $2 billion dollars
from the Rainy Day Fund for new reservoirs, desalination plants, and
conservation efforts. And the City of Amarillo says they could make
use of additional funds to increase water supply for local residents.
Amarillo
Assistant Director of Utilities Floyd Hartman says, "An
additional pipeline from the 24th street pump station to the Bonham
Street. We haven't asked for funding or requested that one. It's a
potential project for us to apply for the rainy day funds."
The
city is also pushing for water conservation with a new Rain Barrel
Harvesting Program where residents are reimbursed the money they use
to purchase it. Representative Price says water is key in the state's
population and economic growth especially in our area with
agriculture.
If
House Bill 4 passes, Price says it'll be an essential step toward
developing the state's water projects and conservation initiatives.
Jessica
Abuchaibe, NewsChannel 10.
