Emergency permits, drought plan changes, and major state funding aim to secure Corpus Christi’s short- and long-term water supply.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Texas Governor Greg Abbott is taking unprecedented steps to ensure Corpus Christi has a reliable water supply, citing the city as a critical economic driver for both the state and the nation.
Gov. Abbott has directed state agencies to expedite temporary water permits and to step in to protect residents during short-term shortages.
“The Governor will utilize all necessary tools to ensure the Corpus Christi area has a safe, reliable water supply,” said Andrew Mahaleris, Abbott’s press secretary.
Last Friday, Gov. Abbott instructed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to issue temporary emergency bed-and-bank permits for western groundwater wells along the Nueces River, increasing short-term access to water.
Earlier this week, state officials directed the Lavaca-Navidad Water Authority (LNRA) to modify its drought plan, moving the threshold for water reductions from 50% to 40% lake capacity.
LNRA is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to implement the change.
“The State of Texas is committing significant investments to ensure Corpus Christi has the water resources it needs to serve citizens,” Mahaleris said, emphasizing the balance between urgent action and public input.
Abbott’s administration points to a historic $20 billion state investment signed into law last session for new water supplies and pipe repairs, along with $30 million to fund local groundwater wells and $16 million to upgrade the Mary Rhodes pipeline.
In addition, the Texas Water Development Board has committed $757 million to build the state’s first marine desalination plant in Corpus Christi.
These efforts aim to secure both short-term access and long-term solutions to support the city’s residents and its role as a major economic hub.