Many of the county’s colonias are in desperate need of wastewater, drainage, water system and road improvements. Applying for state funding could be the answer.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Nueces County commissioners on Monday approved a resolution to submit an application for the 2026 Texas Colonia Fund Construction Grant, a step they say could bring up to $1 million dollars in improvements to long-neglected colonias across the county.

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Many of the county’s colonias face aging infrastructure, poor roads, inadequate drainage and a lack of sewer connections. Local leaders say funding from the Texas Department of Agriculture could finally help address issues that have lingered for decades and at no cost to the residents who need it most.

For colonias throughout Nueces County, public improvements are essential but often financially out of reach.

“So each of these has a little drain holes, that are drilled into place,” said Samuel Arredondo with Bonco Construction, explaining some of the work underway.

Arredondo and his team have been collaborating with commissioners to bring new wastewater lines to homes in the Driscoll area.

“There’s a lot of obstacles water wells, water lines, if the property is big enough for the system,” Arredondo said.

Arredondo added that their designs aim to protect homeowners from flooding.

“We do a three feet high, we’re well above the flood zone and so owners with new systems will never have to worry about if they’re in a flood zone that their alarm system will ever go out,” he said.

With the application for the Colonia Fund Construction Program now approved, county leaders say more communities could soon receive similar upgrades.

Commissioner Joe A. Gonzalez, who is helping spearhead the effort, said the need is urgent.

“When you have an overflows of the system and it goes into the creeks, that’s a problem. You got the Petronilla Creek, the Oso Creek, and it all winds up where? At the bay,” Gonzalez said.

He said the improvements would be widespread in their impact.

“This is a win situation for the port, a win situation for the city, a win for the county, and for the community too, for the people that get those septic systems,” he said.

Commissioner John Marez said the grant could help the county address infrastructure challenges it hasn’t been able to tackle in years.

“We’ve already been allocated funding from the state for colonias, but this takes it to another level. For years we as a county have not been able to tackle issues as far as infrastructure improvements overall,” Marez said.

He noted that the application focuses heavily on essential services.

“It will be focusing on water. We know that a lot of communities are individual households are struggling with the issue of well water versus connecting to a water system. Obviously wastewater is a big issue, although most in that part connect to septic systems, and then the road improvements,” Marez said.

Arredondo said he hopes this will be only the beginning for colonia residents.

“Some flood and drainage repairs out in these colonias would help out a lot,” Arredondo said.

County commissioners encourage colonia homeowners interested in participating to contact their office. Water and wastewater projects are a priority under the grant program and must make up at least 51% of the overall project budget.