As a severe drought continues to impact South Texas, cities along the coastal bend are taking cues from Corpus Christi and urgently seeking to drill new wells to alleviate their water shortages. While this approach provides a temporary fix, experts caution that relying on groundwater could deplete vital aquifers in the region.
Alice is making strides to activate a second well by May, and Mathis is currently in the process of drilling two new wells. Beeville, which has four existing wells, has just completed drilling a new well and anticipates beginning water extraction by year’s end. The city also has two additional wells that can serve as backups.
These rural municipalities are mirroring the efforts of Corpus Christi, the area’s largest city and primary water supplier, which has recently drilled approximately a dozen wells to address escalating demand. The city is under pressure to secure new water sources for its population of 300,000, along with an additional 200,000 customers across seven counties, not to mention its proximity to one of the largest petrochemical corridors in the nation.
Corpus Christi’s main reservoirs, Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon Reservoir, have dwindled to a mere 8% capacity amid the ongoing drought, compelling the city to implement a range of temporary measures, including well usage. City Manager Peter Zanoni has warned that the city is on the verge of declaring a water emergency, which occurs when water supply dips to just 180 days’ worth.
Experts are sounding alarms regarding the sustainability of groundwater extraction. “If what goes in is less than what goes out through pumping, you will see that resource depleting,” cautioned Dorina Murglet, a hydrogeology professor at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, emphasizing that groundwater should be considered only in emergencies.
Beeville’s wells utilize both the Evangeline and Jasper Aquifers, while Alice’s wells tap into the Jasper Aquifer situated beneath the Evangeline. Murglet highlighted the challenge of measuring safe extraction levels from these aquifers, stressing the need for collaboration between cities. “Political boundaries are not hydrologic boundaries,” she noted. “It’s all interconnected.”
Benny Puente, Beeville’s Mayor Pro Tem, expressed concern over the erosion of trust in Corpus Christi as a reliable water supplier. “For them to reach this point, where we are running out of surface water, is quite alarming,” he stated.
Robert Gonzalez, a spokesperson for Corpus Christi, affirmed the city’s commitment to working with neighboring municipalities such as Alice, Beeville, and Mathis to tackle the water crisis. “We have been actively involved and communicating with them,” he said.
Beeville, home to 13,000 residents, also supplies water to a nearby state correctional facility, which is one of its largest consumers. Two of the three state units in Beeville draw water from their own wells, while the McConnell Unit, which employs 400 and can accommodate around 2,300 inmates, relies on city water. Approximately 25% of Beeville’s water supply is allocated to this facility.
While Beeville has depended on Corpus Christi for water for decades, Puente warned that without new water sources, the city might sever ties with its longtime supplier. “They won’t have our revenue anymore, so how will they fund their planned upgrades?” he questioned.
Other cities not reliant on Corpus Christi are also grappling with the effects of diminished water supplies. In Three Rivers, which sources its water from Choke Canyon, Mayor Felipe Martinez issued a drought disaster declaration last week. Similarly, Orange Grove, located west of Corpus Christi, reported issues with water salinity since the city began tapping into the same aquifer.
City Manager Todd Wright of Orange Grove cautioned, “We are approaching the point where the water will no longer be safe to drink.” To address the issue, Orange Grove is exploring the possibility of purchasing water from Alice, which has a reverse osmosis system capable of converting saline groundwater into potable water.
Gonzalez stated that Corpus Christi is in dialogue with Orange Grove officials to discuss water supply concerns and has committed to sharing data while supporting the community as the situation evolves.
Leaders in cities that have relied on Corpus Christi for water are feeling the strain, with Puente asserting that earlier drought restrictions could have mitigated the current shortages. However, Corpus Christi has been under stage 3 restrictions since December 2024, limiting nonessential outdoor watering. Last October, Beeville declared a water emergency when it estimated it had just 180 days of supply left, although conservation efforts have since extended that timeline to the end of the year.
In a significant setback, Corpus Christi leaders abandoned a seawater desalination plant project after years of planning and substantial financial investment. Puente lamented, “The failure of Corpus Christi’s City Council has impacted not only their city but the entire region. I am disappointed in their handling of this water crisis, and immediate changes are necessary. Desalination must be prioritized.”
In contrast, Mathis City Manager Cedric Davis suggested that the blame should not rest solely on Corpus Christi. He noted that the drought presents a vital lesson for smaller cities: the need to diversify their water sources. “The smallest cities must develop their own water supply,” he added.
The water shortages are also affecting local economies. Mathis, which attracts thousands of Winter Texans who rent homes and RVs near Lake Corpus Christi, has seen a decline in tourism. Davis reported that many potential visitors have expressed hesitance to return due to concerns about the lake’s diminishing water levels. “They come to enjoy the lake, which is quickly losing its appeal,” he explained, referring to it as “more of a pond” than a lake.
