Water Issues

Water Supply   |   Water Quality   |   Aquatic Weeds

The Lower Rio Grande Valley is one of the fastest growing regions in the United States. Our main economic sectors – agriculture, retail service, manufacturing industries, tourism, and commercial fishing – all depend on reliable, good quality water supplies.

The Rio Grande is our main source of water. Drought, international treaty issues, and increased demand are impacting long-term water availability. Because of this, the LRGVDC is leading efforts to develop strategies for long-term water supply alternatives.

The LRGVDC serves as administrative agent for the Rio Grande Regional Water Planning Group. RGRWPG is one of 16 regional groups set up under state law to conduct long-range analysis of water needs and develop water management strategies to meet those needs. The RGRWPG covers eight counties along the mid and lower Rio Grande: Maverick, Webb, Zapata, Jim Hogg, Starr, Hidalgo, Willacy, and Cameron.

The LRGVDC also serves as administrative agent for the Rio Grande Regional Water Authority, composed of 21 irrigation districts. The RGRWA has set up a Water Market to facilitate water sales and leases, and is coordinating a master plan that will identify needed improvements to water infrastructure in the lower Valley.

The LRGVDC has served as fiscal agent for the 2004 and 2005 Valley Water Summits, action-oriented forums bringing together stakeholders representing various interests to work together on solutions to water supply issues.

Since 1975, the LRGVDC has served as the state-designated Areawide Wastewater Management Planning Agency. The agency works with area communities to coordinate and enhance natural resources in the Rio Grande Valley.

A comprehensive Water Quality Management Plan has been developed by the LRGVDC with assistance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). As part of this project, the LRGVDC mapped wastewater service areas and facilities in the three-county region.

Education and outreach are very important components in addressing water quality issues and increasing public awareness towards water quality. The Arroyo Colorado Watershed Protection Plan will be used to guide in the activities.

Maintaining water quality standards is crucial for local communities dependant upon surface water. Water quality is affected by pollution in two primary ways: from specific "point sources," such as wastewater treatment plants, and from nonspecific - or "nonpoint" - sources, such as contaminants that wash off from urban lawns, parking lots, and agricultural fields during rain falls.

The TCEQ's Clean Rivers Program provides the opportunity to approach water quality issues within a watershed or river basin at the local and regional level through coordinated efforts among diverse agencies and various programs. Click here for more information on the Clean Rivers Program.

Regulations help control pollution from point sources; changes in behavior are the best way to control pollution from nonpoint sources. Fortunately the TCEQ has information and funding available to help communities learn about and implement measures they can take to reduce runoff pollution.

Click here for a list of useful links addressing water quality issues. Additionally, water quality outreach material is available from the LRGVDC. Please contact us for details

The water shortage in the Lower Rio Grande Valley has been intensified by the invasion of hydrilla and water hyacinth. Both grow and reproduce rapidly, forming dense surface mats that impede the flow of water, block sunlight, and inhibit the exchange of oxygen.

The LRGVDC successfully applied for $450,000 in funds from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and other sources to help control hydrilla in Hidalgo and Cameron counties. In addition, it secured technical assistance from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to release up to 23,000 Triploid Grass Carp in the lower Rio Grande. These carp are sterilized prior to being released.

The LRGVDC also is assisting in discussions between the U.S. and Mexico to apply chemicals as a means of controlling weeds in the lower Rio Grande.

These efforts are coordinated through an Aquatic Weeds Task Force, representing stakeholders from all interests.