WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) – The clock is ticking for city and county governments to decide what they will use their American Rescue Plan Act funds for.
News Channel 6 first reported in Oct. of 2022 that $4.5 million was allocated to the Wichita Valley Water Supply Corporation for a major project, but not much progress has been made.
The ARPA funds can be used for all sorts of projects to improve infrastructure, and by 2026 those funds need to be used, but when it comes to this water line project, there have been some significant delays.
“It will allow us to have a more diverse water system out there, all of those funds flow through Wichita Valley Water Supply Corporation,” Wichita County Precinct 4 Commissioner, Jeff Watts said.
When $4.5 million was allocated for this project in Oct. of 2022, the goal was to finish the project by the end of 2023, but they’ve had complications.
Some residents don’t want the pipeline running through their property.
Due to the pushback, engineers have had to make adjustments to the pipeline’s path, which means today, they are just nearing the end of the planning stage.
“This is going to actually allow us some mainline distribution, nearly halfway right between the middle of the area of Burkburnett and Iowa Park. Even though water is a great thing, not everybody wants it to cross their property, and so that’s been a large delay,” Commissioner Watts said.
“We’re excited about that because it adds a lot of ability for people to, that one haven’t had water. All of their lives haven’t had water in that area. Some people have to haul water out there, especially when you get past halfway Iowa Park and Burkburnett, up 369,” Commissioner Watts said.
Over the past few years, the County has allocated ARPA funds for different projects like the water line project, courthouse renovations, and installing radio towers.
According to Commissioner Watts, Wichita County has used every dollar it has been given.
“Most counties need to be fully, fully allocated by the end of 2024, meaning that if you haven’t planned to use the money you received from the federal government, you only have until the end of this year to get that done. If it’s not, then there could stand a chance of sending that money back,” Commissioner Watts said.
Commissioner Watts said they have until the end of 2026 to complete the project, but he expects it to finish much sooner.
He said the pipe should start going in the ground within the first half of this year.
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