04/16/2026
Local officials outlined strategies to adapt. Bryan Martinez, a Brownsville City Commissioner, said municipalities must diversify water sources and work with partners to reduce demand. He pointed to local ordinances passed during the 2024 drought that raised water-recycling standards for new car wash facilities. “We can’t override state legislation,” Martinez said, “but we can take meaningful steps within our authority.”
Regional leaders from government, agriculture, and public utilities gathered for an RGV Connect forum to discuss water security challenges in the Rio Grande Valley, emphasizing the need for coordinated action as drought conditions persist and demand continues to rise.