La Villa wants to build a new water treatment plant but needs the funding to make it happen.

The current plant is about 40 years old and is in constant need of repairs. Building a new plant would cost $14 million, and the city has applied for grants to cover that cost, officials said.

On Wednesday, city commissioners approved a backup plan in case the funding falls through.

La Villa City Administrator Antonio "Tony" Barco said the council approved a loan application through the Texas Water Development Board.

"Then we can at least do enough repairs to that facility that will keep us going for a few more years," Barco said.

If the city moves forward with the backup plan, it will continue applying for grants in hopes of eventually building a new plant.