Edna Seeks Up to $10 Million for Aging Water Lines

Edna is pursuing up to $10 million in state grant funding to replace aging water lines as the Texas Water Development Board’s application deadline arrives Thursday, July 30, 2026.

The city had previously planned to seek less than $5 million. City Manager Gary Broz told the City Council that staff increased the proposed request to the maximum available under the Water Supply and Infrastructure Grant program after the state revised the program’s funding framework.

Edna has not been awarded the money. Broz said competition is expected to be substantial, with many Texas communities seeking funding through the same opportunity.

What the state program allows

The Texas Water Development Board’s implementation plan sets a funding cap based on the population served by an applicant. Entities serving between 1,001 and 10,000 people may request up to $10 million per project. The U.S. Census Bureau’s July 1, 2025, estimate puts Edna’s population at 6,088, within that funding tier.

The WSIG opportunity provides 100 percent grant funding for eligible water supply and water infrastructure projects. Eligible work can include addressing real or apparent water loss and upgrading or replacing water systems. Drainage, flood control and wastewater projects are not eligible under the opportunity.

That distinction matters because Edna’s proposed request is focused on water-line replacement. It is separate from a wastewater treatment plant presentation discussed at the city’s July meeting, where no action was taken.

What residents should expect next

The grant request is a step toward a larger water-system replacement effort, not a construction announcement. The sources reviewed for this report do not establish a final project scope, a list of affected streets or neighborhoods, a construction schedule or an award date.

If Edna receives funding, the grant could give the city additional resources to address aging lines without relying only on existing local funds. If the application is unsuccessful, city officials would need to consider other funding sources or continue addressing line problems through the resources already available to the city.

The Texas Water Development Board says full applications are due July 30, 2026. Its implementation plan lists expected funding commitments for fall 2026, but that timeline does not guarantee that Edna will receive an award.

For now, the immediate milestone is whether Edna completes and submits its application for the full $10 million request. Any future state decision will determine whether the city can move from pursuing funding to developing a funded water-line replacement project.

Sources

• City of Edna report on the proposed water-line grant application
• Texas Water Development Board WSIG Implementation Plan
• U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Edna