Press Releases
BPUB Receives $1.2 Million Subgrant to Strengthen Water Resiliency System
The Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB) has received a $1.2 million subgrant to purchase and install backup generators at 11 well pumps at the Southmost Regional Water Authority (SRWA), strengthening the utility’s ability to maintain water production during power outages caused by natural hazards.
The project is funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and administered by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). The subgrant provides approximately $1.2 million in federal funding, with BPUB contributing about $132,000 toward the total project cost. BPUB is the only municipally owned utility in the Rio Grande Valley to receive this funding.
The Southmost Regional Water Authority facility in Brownsville, where BPUB will install backup generators at 11 wells to support continued water service during outages.
The installation of backup generators will help mitigate the impacts of power loss at critical wells and allow continued operation of key treatment processes, including two reverse osmosis trains, during extended outages associated with severe weather events.
“This investment strengthens our ability to provide reliable water service when our customers need it most,” BPUB General Manager & CEO Marilyn D. Gilbert said. “By improving the resiliency of our system, we are better prepared to maintain operations during emergencies and continue delivering safe, dependable water to the Brownsville community.”
The project is expected to be completed before Feb. 1, 2028.
For more information on BPUB’s mission to provide reliable, sustainable utility services, visit www.brownsville-pub.com.
For media inquiries, contact Alexa J. Perez, Division Manager of Communications, Public Relations & Digital Platforms, at [email protected] or call (956) 596-3361.