Texas faces a costly water crisis as growth, drought and industry outpace freshwater supplies statewide, writes columnist Chris Tomlinson.

Corpus Christi officials push for state waiver as western well fields continue producing more water.

Source: The water is there, but Corpus Christi still needs approval to pump more of it | kiiitv.com

In April, one of the city’s three reservoirs received its first inflows in eight months. But narrowly avoiding an immediate disaster doesn’t mean that Corpus Christi has solved its water crisis.

Source: Corpus Christi Postpones Water Emergency to December as ‘Super El Niño’ Offers an End to Drought | Inside Climate News

Lone Star State officials are scrambling to get ready for projects that serve artificial intelligence, but a draft water outlook skips the subject.

Source: Texas water plan ignores data center surge | E&E News by POLITICO

exas has always been a state that builds things. We farm, ranch, and produce the food, fuel, and fiber that power America. We champion growth, private enterprise, and innovation. The Lone Star State remains a global beacon of what freedom and opportunity can achieve.

Source: Opinion: For the Future of Texas, Pause Data Centers | Texas Department of Agriculture

SAN ANTONIO — Texans tap 16 billion gallons of water on an average day. In Central Texas, that water comes from the Edwards Aquifer, supplying clean drinking water to eight counties and nearly 2 million residents, including in the City of San Antonio. The southern section of the aquifer has some protection through its water market.

Source: Experts praise Edwards Aquifer water market as example for managing data center concerns | Spectrum News

The speed at which Corpus Christi’s water problem has developed coincides with the rapid development of shale oil extraction in Texas over the past 10 years, along with continued industrial expansion in the Corpus Christi area.

Source: Water crisis forces Corpus Christi back to the desalination option | Daily Commercial News

Recent rainfall is buying the Coastal Bend more time before tougher water restrictions kick in. The city is now giving a December timeline for a level one emergency.

Source: Corpus Christi pushes back Level 1 water emergency timeline, postpones drought policy vote | KIII-TV

Without additional rain, the coastal city expects to impose mandatory water restrictions around December, new data shows.

Source: Rain delays Corpus Christi’s expected water crisis by 3 months | The Texas Tribune

Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor D. Treviño joined regional leaders on May 15 to address what city officials described as “water equity concerns” tied to recent groundwater allocation decisions that could affect the future growth of Laredo and Webb County.

Source: Laredo Leaders Challenge Groundwater Decisions Over Future Water Supply | Texas Border Business