ICYMI: Congressman Gonzalez Delivers $850,000 in Federal Funds to City of Combes for Upgrades to Sewage Systems
Contact: Alexis Torres
Combes, Texas – On Saturday, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) was joined by the City of Combes to announce $850,000 he successfully secured in Fiscal Year 2026 Community Project Funding for the reconstruction, upgrade, and rehabilitation of eight sewer lift stations that were damaged during the March 2025 Texas hailstorms and flooding.
“A working sewage system is essential to safeguarding public health, preserving the environment, and keeping our communities safe,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Last year’s devastating storms and flash floods left the City of Combes’ lift stations in need of urgent repairs. That’s why I worked alongside local leaders to champion this community project funding in Congress. With this investment, we will strengthen our ability to maintain reliable sewage operations daily and when extreme weather events hit flood-prone areas like the Rio Grande Valley.”
The March 2025 storms brought a historic amount of rainfall to the Rio Grande Valley, with some areas receiving 10 to 15 inches of rain in less than 48 hours. Due to low terrain in South Texas, communities rely on lift stations to move wastewater from lower to higher elevations for treatment. Without a properly functioning system, there is an increased risk of dangerous flooding, raw sewage backups and spills into homes, businesses, and waterways, and the spread of harmful or toxic bacteria.
As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Gonzalez successfully secured $12.6 million in federal funds for 15 community projects, including upgrades to the City of Combes’ sewage lift stations, to directly support the needs of the 34th Congressional District of Texas.