LCRA awards $24,403 grant to Castell VFD for new water supply to fight fires
New 31,000-gallon water storage tank will strengthen fire protection for Castell area, surrounding counties
Dec. 3, 2025
LLANO COUNTY, Texas – The Castell Volunteer Fire Department soon will install a new 31,000-gallon water storage tank to provide water for use in fighting fires, thanks to a $24,403 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The community grant, along with $7,491 in matching funds from the department, will help Castell VFD establish a reliable, high-capacity water source in western Llano County, a rural area where access to water can be limited during fire emergencies. The new tank will reduce refill times for fire engines and tankers, improve response capabilities and support mutual-aid efforts across three counties.
“At the moment, we have to travel all the way to Llano to refill our trucks, which adds valuable minutes during an emergency,” said D.C. Meier, fire chief. “Having our own dedicated water source here in Castell will make our operations far more efficient and give both our department and our neighbors quicker access to the water we need to fight fires. This tank will help us stay on scene longer, respond faster and provide better support to the region that depends on us.”
Castell VFD serves parts of Llano, Mason and Gillespie counties and responds to wildland fires, structure fires and mutual aid calls across a wide rural region. The new fill station will reduce travel time to distant water sources and help firefighters maintain steady operations during emergency situations.
This is one of 41 grants awarded recently through LCRA Community Grants. These grants are awarded twice a year as part of LCRA’s effort to give back to communities in its wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in January. More information is available at lcra.org/cdpp.
About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations.
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