The idea behind the alliance is that smaller regions could band together in hopes of qualifying for more funding.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — As the Coastal Bend’s water supply continues to dwindle, regional leaders are racing to find solutions before combined lake levels reach zero percent.
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Chad Magill, district liaison for State Sen. Adam Hinojosa, said one possible solution could be the Coastal Bend Water Alliance.
“We’re seeing that large water projects and large water supply projects, wastewater projects are being funded with state funds based off of the number of people they serve,” he said.
The idea behind the alliance is that smaller regions could band together in hopes of qualifying for more funding. Counties including Kleberg, Bee and San Patricio have already voted to join.
“So when communities combine and join together to work together they serve a larger constituency, so they rank higher,” he said.
Water issues aren’t unique to South Texas. Much of the state is experiencing similar shortages — some cities with even more people to serve.
“We’ve got to compete with Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, El Paso, communities that have a larger population,” he said.
But will Corpus Christi join the alliance? That’s a question we took to At-large Councilman Roland Barrera, who said it’s still too soon to know.
“What’s the financial stake with the other individuals involved in the alliance? The City of Corpus Christi provides all the resources, the council has turnover every two years and so right now, with the reluctance to make decisions, it’s created some uncertainty for the other seven counties that participate,” he said.