Hidalgo County Launches Uniform Drought Conservation Plan

Photo above: Falcon Dam reservoir, courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Staff Report

EDINBURG, Texas – Hidalgo County officials convened on Wednesday with over 30 representatives from municipalities and water districts to initiate a region-wide uniform drought contingency plan. The meeting, held at the Mission Event Center, marked a significant effort to establish standardized drought triggers across the county.

The plan aims to simplify and unify the drought conservation stages for cities and water districts, addressing the current disparity where each entity follows different triggers for conservation needs. The existing differences have caused confusion among residents about what actions to take during drought conditions.

The proposed strategy involves adopting a single contingency plan with consistent triggers for all water suppliers in the region. For example, under Stage 1, entities with more than 100 percent water reserve capacity would allow customers to water their lawns, wash cars, and conduct other water-related activities as usual. As reserve capacities decline during droughts, each water-supplying entity would follow the same conservation stages to clearly communicate the severity of the drought.

Despite the standardized triggers, cities and water districts will have the discretion to determine how the stages impact consumers and how to enforce conservation measures. This regional plan is part of a broader initiative to develop a comprehensive water strategy, which could enhance the county’s chances of securing state and federal funding for water management and infrastructure.

“This is a long-term issue,” said Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez. “We need to develop a regional plan to address future water needs.”

The uniform drought contingency plan is intended to become part of a five-year plan required by the state. Currently, each city and water district is responsible for filing its own drought contingency plan. The new approach seeks to consolidate these efforts into a single regional plan, potentially increasing opportunities for grant funding.

At the meeting, each representative was asked to return to their respective city commissions or boards of directors to seek approval for the uniform plan. The conservation stages and their corresponding trigger points under this plan are as follows:

• Stage 1: Mild – 100% capacity
• Stage 2: Moderate – 40% capacity
• Stage 3: Severe – 30% capacity
• Stage 4: Critical – 20% capacity
• Stage 5: Emergency – 15% capacity
• Stage 6: Water Allocation – By emergency order

The collaborative plan sets a foundation for a more cohesive approach to drought management, with the goal of enhancing public understanding and response during drought conditions.

Source – Hidalgo County.