In Hull, Texas, a rural community in Liberty County, Texas, access to drinking water once hinged on a single, aging well — one that had quietly served residents for more than six decades.

For years, leaders at the Hull Fresh Water Supply District (HFWSD) knew they would eventually need a second water source. But like many small rural systems, planning and funding didn’t always align with urgency.

That changed overnight.

“We had been talking about drilling another well, but it wasn’t urgent,” said Cindy Birchfield, office manager for the district. “Then our 65-year-old well failed. Just like that, our long-term plan became an emergency.”

The well developed a hole in its screen and went down completely, leaving the system — which also supplies water to the neighboring city of Daisetta — without service.

“It wasn’t long, but it was not pleasant,” Birchfield said. “And we were told there was nothing that could be done to save it.”

A Funding Gap Meets an Emergency

Even before the failure, the district had been exploring options to fund a new well. When American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds became available, Liberty County committed $800,000 toward the project.

But a significant gap remained.

Birchfield initially approached a local bank that had held the district’s accounts for decades. While financing was available, the terms didn’t align with the realities of a small rural utility.

“It just didn’t feel like something we could manage,” Birchfield said.

At the same time, the system was under increasing pressure from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), which requires water systems to maintain at least two sources of supply. Hull had operated with just one for years — now a compliance issue.

A Different Kind of Lender

That’s when Communities Unlimited (CU) stepped in.

Birchfield had been familiar with CU through past work with the Texas Water Infrastructure Coordinating Committee (TWICC), where she learned about the organization’s ability to support small systems with technical assistance — including a previous rate study to Daisetta provided at no cost.

So when the well project became urgent, CU was already top of mind.

Working with the CU Lending Team and Economic Development Loan Officer Chris Ranniger, Birchfield explored financing options that would fit the system’s budget.

Through CU, the district secured a loan on Feb. 4 — a manageable solution that helped close the funding gap alongside ARPA dollars. CU’s financing support came through the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Revolving Loan Fund (RLF).

“When Chris told me what the monthly payment would be, I knew immediately it was something we could do,” Birchfield said. “That’s when everything finally clicked into place.”

More Than Financing

As the system navigated regulatory challenges — including missed TCEQ communications, a $30,000 fine, and the sudden loss of its operator — CU East Texas Coordinator Jessica Hester from the Community Infrastructure Team became a vital on-the-ground resource.

Many of the issues traced back to years of gaps in oversight, including critical correspondence that had gone to a personal email and was never seen. When the operator left, Birchfield was left managing compliance, operations, and an active emergency all at once.

“Jessica helped guide me through everything — what documents we needed, what corrections had to be made, how to move forward,” Birchfield said. “When we had a TCEQ audit, she even offered to come out and help gather paperwork.”

With Hester’s support, the district began to regain its footing.

She worked alongside the system to address violations, organize documentation, and rebuild processes to meet regulatory expectations — bringing the system steadily back toward compliance. At the same time, Hester is leading a new rate study to help ensure the district’s financial structure can support ongoing operations and future infrastructure needs.

The system, once stretched thin by staffing turnover and compliance challenges, has since made what Birchfield describes as a “complete 360 turnaround.” A new operator is now in place, and the district is steadily moving back into full compliance.

Building for the Future

Today, construction is underway on a new well capable of producing approximately 300 gallons per minute, along with critical system upgrades including piping, electrical modifications, and treatment adjustments.

Once complete, the new well will do more than meet regulatory requirements.

 “For the first time, we’ll have two water sources,” Burchfield said. “That security — knowing we can provide reliable drinking water — that’s huge for our community.”

A Partner in the Process

In a system where staffing is limited and responsibilities are wide-ranging, that kind of support can make all the difference.

“Before this, I felt like I was trying to figure everything out alone,” she said. “Now I have people I can call — whether it’s financial, regulatory, or operational. That’s invaluable.”

As rural communities across Texas face aging infrastructure and limited resources, Hull’s story is a reminder of what can happen when funding, technical assistance, and local leadership come together at the right moment.

And for Birchfield, the takeaway is simple:

“If I need help again in the future, Communities Unlimited will be the first place I go.”