1. Texas Water Development Board
Conservation and the SWIFT Application Process
Tom Entsminger
TWDB State Programs Coordinator

2. Topics SWIFT Overview Project Eligibility Application Process
Other TWDB Resources

3. Multi-year Commitments
Finances implementation of Recommended Water Management Strategies
Financing options
Low-interest Loans
Deferred Loans
Board Participation
Multi-year Commitments
All Phases Eligible
Planning
Acquisition
Design
Construction

4. Is My Project Eligible for SWIFT?
Is it a Recommended Water Management Strategy in the state water plan? Is there an associated capital cost?

5. Not Sure?
If you aren’t sure whether your project fits within Plan language, call us! TWDB’s Planning staff can help.

6. The Path to Recommending Strategies
identify “potentially feasible” strategies
evaluate potentially feasible strategies
compare evaluated strategies
recommend strategies that are “cost-effective & environmentally sensitive” 31 TAC (b)

7. Evaluation of Strategies
Based on:
water quantity and reliability
financial costs
impacts to environment and agriculture
impacts to water quality
other factors such as regulatory requirements, time required to implement, etc.

8. Amendments
Regional and State plans can both be amended to add strategies and/or capital costs
The process takes time and is not free
First step: contact your regional planning group

9. Regional Amendment Processes
Regional Group considers request
30-day hearing notice
Hearing
30-day comment period
Regional Group makes decision
Major Amendments: 62+ Days
Regional Group considers request
TWDB validation of “minor” classification (up to 45 days)
14-day notice period
Regional Group makes decision
14-day follow-up comment period
Minor Amendments: Days

10. State Water Plan Amendments
Regional Amendment sent to TWDB
TWDB reviews amendment
30-day hearing notice
Hearing
TWDB makes decision on adoption
The State Water Plan is amended only after regional amendments are finalized.

11. SWIFT Funding Cycle Submit Abridged Application
TWDB Staff perform Prioritization & capacity modeling
Invitation to submit full applications
Application review and funding commitments
Applicants close on loans

12. Abridged Application
Online option also available

13. Abridged Application
Asks only for the info needed to complete prioritization (31 TAC § )
Uses information already developed during the plan process: no new work required
No commitment associated with Abridged Application submittal
Technical assistance available throughout the process

14. Full Application
Contact Information
Legal
Financial
Project Details
Technical Assistance Available
Online option also available

15. How to Get Started CONTACT US! Team 1 Panhandle/West A/O/E/F
Lee Huntoon
(512)
Team 2
Brazos
G/B
Caaren Skrobarczyk
(512)
Team 3
Northeast
C/D
Luis Farias
(512)
Team 4
East
H/I
Nancy Richards
Team 5
Central
J/K/L/P
Clay Schultz
(512)
Team 6
South
M/N
Mireya Loewe
(512)

16. Conservation at TWDB Texas Water Development Fund (DFund)
Offers low interest rates based on TWDB’s cost of funds
Texas Water Development Fund (DFund)
Offers subsidization of 125 basis points below borrower’s cost of funds and partial principal forgiveness
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)
Fund projects and research with ag conservation benefit
Agricultural Water Conservation Grants/Loans

17. Conservation at TWDB
Regardless of the funding source, applicants requesting $500,000 or more must have active Water Conservation Plans on file
TWDB’s Conservation staff provide technical assistance to help systems develop their plans

18. Other TWDB Resources Water Wastewater Flood Control Conservation
Project Financing
Water
Wastewater
Flood Control
Conservation
Nonpoint Source Pollution Control
Science
Groundwater availability
Environmental flows
Lake surveys
Planning
State Water Plan
Water Use Surveys
Data
Mapping & GIS
Demographics

19. Interactive State Water Plan
TexasStateWaterPlan.org

21. TWDB State Programs Coordinator
Thanks!
Tom Entsminger
TWDB State Programs Coordinator
(512)