Deadline approaching? Don’t risk missing out on millions in funding.
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Water Supply & Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) is one of the most significant funding opportunities available for municipalities, utilities, and water providers across Texas.
In reality, most applications get delayed, rejected, or underfunded due to missing documents, incorrect data, or incomplete sections.
This guide breaks down exactly how to complete the application correctly and quickly, and how Holistic Utility Solutions can help you secure funding before the deadline.
Note that the following information is general guidance only. For official process and guidelines, please refer to the TWDB page on the WSIG Grant for application documents, FAQs, and more.
First — Critical Submission Requirements
Before filling anything out, understand this:
- Applications must be submitted via email only
- Include:
- Completed Word application
- AMHI Excel worksheet
- All required attachments (PDFs)
- Subject line must follow format:
“WSIG Application Submittal for [Applicant Name]”
Files over 25MB require a special submission request.
Step 1: Applicant Information (Part I)
This is foundational but mistakes here cause delays.
You’ll need:
- Legal entity name and authority (city, district, county, etc.)
- Public Water System (PWS) number
- Contact details
- Project name and funding request amount
Key Insight:
Funding caps are based on population served, ranging from:
- $6M → small systems (under 1,000 served)
- $10M → small to midsize systems (1,000 – 10,000 served)
- $21M → midsize systems (10,000 – 150,000 served)
- $35M → midsize to large systems (150,000 – 1M served)
- Up to $55M → large systems (1M+ served)
If your project exceeds the cap, you must show additional funding sources.
Step 2: Eligibility & Socioeconomic Data (Part II)
This is one of the primary criteria in the prioritization of funding awards. The lower your AMHI, the higher you will score.
You must calculate:
- Population served
- Annual Median Household Income (AMHI)
Using:
- The official TWDB AMHI Excel worksheet (required)
Critical Requirement:
You must attach the AMHI worksheet with your submission.
Step 3: Define Your Project Focus
Your project must clearly fall into one (or more) of these:
- Water supply expansion
- Conservation improvements
- Water reuse
- Regulatory compliance
- Water loss mitigation
Pro Tip:
Applications that clearly show measurable impact (e.g., water savings, new supply, compliance fixes) score higher.
Step 4: Financial & Compliance Documentation
You will need:
- Latest financial audit (CPA certified)
- Any existing TWDB funding references
- Proof of additional funding (if applicable)
Missing financials = automatic delays or rejection.
Step 5: Water Planning & Conservation Requirements
This section is strict and non-negotiable:
You must have:
- Submitted Water Use Surveys (last 3 years)
- Submitted 2025 Water Loss Audit (by May 1, 2026)
- Completed or updated Water Conservation Plan (if over $500K request)
- Must be submitted to TWDB by May 1st and must be adopted by Council before the July 30th submission deadline
If these are missing → your project is ineligible.
Read more about the requirements for Water Use Survey, Water Loss Audit, and Water Conservation Plans on the TWDB website here.
Step 6: Project Details (Part III)
This is where you tell your story.
You’ll need to provide:
- Clear Project Need
- Detailed Project Description
- Supporting:
- Maps
- Engineering details
- Location data
What TWDB is looking for:
- Clear problem → solution alignment
- Regional water plan consistency
- Real, executable scope
Step 7: Attachments Checklist (MOST IMPORTANT)
This is where applications are won or lost.
You must include:
- AMHI Worksheet
- Financial Audit
- Water Project Info Form (WRD-253D)
- Budget Form (TWDB-1201)
- Legal documents (Resolution, Affidavits, etc.)
- Maps and engineering documentation
Incomplete applications are NOT reviewed.
Step 8: Project Readiness (Major Bonus Points)
For larger systems (over 150,000 population served), this is a requirement.
For smaller systems, this is how you can get 10 bonus points.
Since most utilities will score between 10-25 based on their AMHI score alone, an extra 10 points is a major difference in your total score.
Unless you have an AMHI score of 25+, you should only plan to submit for Construction Ready projects that can get the bonus points if you want to have a chance to get funded.
Each size category may award as few as 7 projects each, so scoring high based on AMHI and Construction Readiness is almost a requirement to have a real shot at the WSIG grant.
You must prove:
- Environmental Permits completed (per TCEQ readiness)
- Land acquired (for new water supply projects)
- Engineering finalized (if required)
- Ready to bid construction plans
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing required attachments
- Incorrect AMHI calculation
- No 2025 water loss audit submitted
- No Water Conservation Plan submitted (requests over $500k)
- Project not aligned with state/regional plans
- Weak project description
- No supporting funding for over-cap projects
Why Work with Holistic Utility Solutions
The WSIG application is not just paperwork, it’s a strategic funding methodology.
Holistic Utility Solutions helps clients:
- Identify qualifying projects to maximize your score
- Maximize funding requests within caps
- Prepare required documentation
- Align with TWDB scoring criteria
- Accelerate submission before deadlines
Time Is Running Out
Deadlines are approaching quickly, and funding is limited.
If you’re considering applying, the time to act is now.
Get Expert Help
Don’t leave millions on the table due to technicalities.
Contact Holistic Utility Solutions today to:
- Review your eligibility
- Fast-track your application
- Ensure compliance and completeness
