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Maverick County judge files emergency order declaring countywide water shortage, asks state for help
Summary
County Judge Nusanku filed an emergency order saying Maverick County faces a severe water shortage affecting residential and agricultural customers and asked the state to help secure funding and technical assistance for rural border communities and the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas.
Maverick County Judge Nusanku filed an emergency order on Aug. 26, 2024, declaring a severe and unprecedented water shortage affecting both households and agricultural operations across the county and calling on the state to help secure funding and technical assistance.
The order, read into the record by the judge, says the Maverick County Water Plants, the Maverick County Water Improvement District and the City of Eagle Pass Water Works together serve "over 65,000 residents with more than 16,500 active accounts," and that rural border communities and the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas are "particularly vulnerable and disproportionately impacted by this water crisis." The judge said all necessary county resources would be mobilized to address and mitigate impacts on residents and agricultural activity.
"Whereas, Maverick County, Texas is currently experiencing a severe and unprecedented water shortage affecting both residential households and agricultural operations," the judge read into the record when filing the order.
The emergency order urges residents and businesses to conserve water and abide by restrictions or guidelines issued by local authorities and asks the office of the governor and other state offices to assist Maverick County in identifying and securing funding sources and technical assistance. The order also requests special attention and priority for the named rural border communities and the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe.
The judge said the order will remain in effect until emergency conditions no longer exist or it is otherwise rescinded by the county judge or commissioners court. Additional information and implementation steps were promised to be provided to the court at a later date.
No formal vote was recorded on the filing beyond the judge stating that the order had been filed with the county clerk's office and entered into the record; the court discussed coordinating with state leaders during a Texas Association of Counties meeting in Austin later that week to seek assistance.
