Rural Development Acting Deputy Under Secretary Judith Canales announced that changes for funding are underway for water and wastewater projects throughout the nation. Canales announced the news today, while attending a ribbon cutting in Peñitas to celebrate the opening and completion of the city's first and only wastewater treatment plant.

"This change in our water and wastewater funding process will provide more assistance to colonias to address significant health risks in communities along the U.S.-Mexico border," Canales said. "Many of these areas are not served by water and waste facilities. The change to our funding process will assign priority points for projects in colonias, which will help increase investments needed to strengthen these communities and improve the quality of life for their residents."

The City of Peñitas was able to receive funding for construction of its plant through a loan and grant from the USDA Rural Development Office in 2011. Prior to the construction of the plant, there was no sewer system in place, leaving residents to use onsite septic tanks which, pose a health hazard. It is estimated that 1,489 families, living in colonias, in Peñitas will benefit from the new plant.