The Nueces County Commissioners Court declared a local state of disaster due to the impending water emergency on April 30.

Nueces County Judge Connie Scott said during a special meeting that the declaration was the first of many actions the county intends to take address the water crisis.

“The county and our leadership here want to be proactive in helping our communities and doing anything we can to prolong this from affecting our citizens here locally,” Scott said.

The local declaration activates the county’s emergency management plan and authorizes aid and assistance.

Immediately after the commissioners voted unanimously on the declaration, the county shared a news release on the county’s water preservation actions.

“The Nueces County government is fully aware that our community is facing severe and ongoing drought conditions that have significantly reduced our available water supply,” according to the news release. “Although the City of Corpus Christi is the regional water provider and the County is not involved in their water decisions, we realize it is our responsibility to do our part when it comes to conservation.”

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The county will follow city of Corpus Christi recommendations not to water greenery and yards, use reclaimed water for law enforcement car washes and complete a full review of all water usage in county facilities.

The county is also working to repair any leaks or dripping faucets and is in talks with other water providers about using excess reclaimed water, according to the news release.

“This is step one in a long list of actions that the county plans to do in the future to maybe come up with some ideas where we can make cuts, early cuts,” Scott said. “I suggest all of our citizens do the same if you can at home or wherever you are in your businesses to cut back because that will prolong this from becoming any worse on our communities and our citizens here locally.”

The local declaration references an April 17 disaster proclamation issued by Gov. Greg Abbott. The state declaration is “based on the existence of serious drought conditions that pose an imminent threat including the increased risk of wildfire danger,” according to a letter from the governor’s executive clerk.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Here’s how Nueces County is responding to water disaster