State Water Implementation Fund 

The State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) is administered by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to provide affordable and ongoing financial assistance for projects included in the state's water plan. The program was established through legislative action and approved by Texas voters as a constitutional amendment. It aims to help communities develop and optimize water supplies at cost-effective rates through mechanisms such as low-interest loans, extended repayment terms, deferral of repayments, and incremental repurchase options for projects involving state ownership. SWIFT financial assistance is available to any political subdivision or nonprofit water supply corporation that has a project listed in the most recently adopted state water plan. Political subdivisions encompass a range of local government entities such as municipalities, counties, river authorities, special law districts, various types of water districts, and groundwater conservation districts. Applicants must be capable of issuing bonds, as TWDB finances SWIFT projects through bond issuance. Only recommended water management strategy projects with a nonzero capital cost from the current state water plan are eligible. Projects aimed solely at rehabilitating or maintaining existing infrastructure are not eligible unless they increase water supply. Examples of eligible projects include water conservation and reuse, desalination, pipeline construction, reservoir and well development, and water rights purchases. Projects must be listed in the plan exactly as proposed to qualify for funding, with a preference for rural, agricultural conservation, and reuse initiatives. Funding is provided only through loans, not grants. Types of loans include low-interest obligations (with interest subsidies based on term length), deferred obligations for developmental stages, board participation through temporary TWDB ownership in large-scale regional facilities, and multi-year commitments supporting phased funding over up to five years. Projects must close on part of the funding in the first year to maintain commitment status. Annual fund availability is determined each cycle using a strategic tool aimed at meeting the long-term financing goal of $27 billion over 50 years. Applications begin with an abridged submission due February 3, 2025, after which projects are prioritized based on criteria such as population served, regionalization, financial capacity, and readiness. The highest-priority projects are invited to submit full applications within 30 days of Board prioritization. Requirements include detailed technical, legal, financial, and environmental documentation. A water conservation and drought contingency plan is mandatory for awards exceeding $500,000. Projects seeking board participation must fulfill specific determinations and have state-level environmental and legislative reviews. Questions and applications should be directed to Marvin Cole-Chaney, Director of Program Administration and Reporting, or Kimberly Rhodes at TWDB. Applications can be submitted online or via email to SWIFT@twdb.texas.gov. Full contact details and submission addresses are provided on the TWDB website, and technical assistance is available through regional implementation teams. Funding decisions and project closings are expected to take place in Fall and Winter 2025.

Ensure the project is listed in the current state water plan with a nonzero capital cost; prepare detailed documentation and start early due to technical complexity and bond issuance timelines.