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Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 1:50 PM

Grant to fund Sandy Harbor’s rainwater catchment system

Grant to fund Sandy Harbor’s rainwater catchment system
LCRA and PEC representatives presented a $14,282 grant to the Sandy Harbor Volunteer Fire Department for a new rainwater catchment and pump system. Pictured, from left, are: Susan Patten, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; Lissette Youree and Joe Youree, VFD firefighters; Beth Koennecke, PEC external relations representative; Doug Hindelang, VFD president; Carol Freeman, LCRA board member; Larry Smith, VFD fire chief; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA Board member; Jim Tolles, VFD firefighter; Susan Gonzalez, VFD treasurer; Tedd Dicus, VFD vice president; Dena Leggett, VFD secretary; and Charles Wingate, VFD captain. Contributed photo

The Sandy Harbor Volunteer Fire Department soon will install a rainwater catchment and pump system at its fire station to provide a reliable on-site water source for firefighting, thanks to a $14,282 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Pedernales Electric Cooperative.

The LCRA Community Grant, along with $14,282 in matching funds from the department, will enable the VFD to install a rainwater catchment and pump sys- tem designed to fill tanker trucks used in emergency responses. The system will provide firefighters with faster access to water, improve emergency response capabilities in an area without munic- ipal fire hydrants and help reduce delays during structure fires.

“This grant will allow us to install a rainwater catchment and pump system at the station, which is critical because we don't have fire hy drants in our area,” said Doug Hindelang, president of the Sandy Harbor Volunteer Fire Department. “Having a reliable, on-site water source will help us respond fast- er and more efficiently during emergencies.”

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