The Wilson County Commissioner’s Court convened on December 9, 2024, to address pressing water resource issues affecting the region. The meeting featured a presentation by the Chief Operating Officer of the Nueces River Authority, who outlined the critical water shortage facing South Texas.

The speaker highlighted that the 21 counties represented by the Nueces River Authority are currently experiencing a daily water deficit of over 50 million gallons. This alarming figure is projected to escalate to more than 230 million gallons per day by 2030, not accounting for potential new growth or industrial developments in the area. The authority advocates for large-scale desalination as a long-term solution to the region's water crisis.

Plans are underway to establish a desalination plant on Harbor Island, near the Port of Corpus Christi. The project aims to draw water from offshore, approximately eight miles out, and transport it through the Nueces Basin to various counties, including Wilson County. This initiative is seen as a potential unlimited and drought-free water supply for the region.

The speaker emphasized the urgency of the situation, citing severe groundwater depletion and the need for sustainable drinking water solutions. The Nueces River Authority is seeking support from Wilson County to pass a resolution endorsing the desalination project, which has already garnered backing from neighboring counties such as Medina, Live Oak, and Uvalde.

In addition to desalination, the authority has explored other alternatives, including brackish groundwater, but expressed concerns about its long-term viability. The discussion also touched on potential collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers to divert water from the Nueces River back into Callahan, although current water levels remain critically low.

The meeting concluded with a call for Wilson County to join the regional effort to secure a sustainable water future, emphasizing the need for collaboration among local water supply entities. The urgency of the water crisis was underscored by the record-low water levels in local reservoirs, prompting immediate action and support for the proposed desalination project.