State leaders discuss support for Corpus Christi water supply

The local state legislative delegation met Thursday to address the city’s water supply concerns and discuss ways to move key projects forward.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — State leaders representing the Coastal Bend met Thursday to discuss ways to support Corpus Christi as the city works to secure a reliable water supply.

The meeting comes after Gov. Greg Abbott warned the state could step in if local leaders do not move quickly to address the region’s water challenges.

“What Corpus Christi leaders have to do is make a decision. We can only give them a little time more before the state of Texas has to take over,” Abbott said earlier this week.

For years, water has taken the spotlight supply in many conversations for the city of Corpus Christi. This week, that spotlight intensified.

City leaders have pushed back on some of the criticism, saying they are working to move solutions forward. The mayor has said an emergency meeting will be called soon to advance plans for the Inner Harbor Desalination plant.

Meanwhile, members of the region’s state legislative delegation met to discuss how they can help.

Rep. Denise Villalobos said the group included several local state leaders.

“Myself, Chairman Todd Hunter, Senator Chuy Hinojosa, and Senator Adam Hinojosa,” Villalobos said.

Villalobos said one of the main topics discussed was the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority, which manages Lake Texana, a key water source for Corpus Christi and other communities.

“The biggest item I think is the LNRA, the Lavaca Navidad River Authority. Right now they’re nearing their first curtailment period, 10 percent, coming, I believe it’s on April 20th,” Villalobos said.

Officials with the LNRA have projected that lake levels could fall below 50 percent next month. If that happens, water deliveries to customers could be reduced by about 10 percent.

For Corpus Christi, that reduction would amount to roughly four million gallons of water per day.

Villalobos said state leaders are exploring whether any action could delay the curtailment or provide relief for the city.

“Seeing if there’s any communication we can do or to help elevate to push that back or to maybe exempt Corpus Christi due to the situation that we’re in,” Villalobos said.

Another priority discussed during the meeting involves permits through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, which could help expand water supplies.

“The city had made a request out to us concerning the eastern and western well fields,” Villalobos said.

Corpus Christi City Council member Mark Scott said the city is continuing to pursue multiple water projects and appreciates the state’s support.

“We’re pursuing the current projects. We need help from the state and I’ve helped articulate that request of the governor and the other state offices,” Scott said. “We need help with our Western wells permits. We filed the permit.”

Scott described the situation as requiring cooperation from all levels of government.

“We need that approved as soon as we can get that approved we can put more water in the river which we all want,” Scott said.

City and state leaders say they will continue working together as the region searches for long-term solutions to its growing water needs.