Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
State and regional water leaders gathered in the Coastal Bend on January 22, 2026, for a Coastal Bend Water Alliance meeting focused on addressing current and future water challenges across South Texas. The meeting, organized and hosted by State Senator Adam Hinojosa, who represents Texas Senate District 27, brought together water experts, local officials, and infrastructure stakeholders to discuss coordination, planning, and funding opportunities.
The meeting opened with welcome remarks and introductions from Senator Hinojosa and his staff, followed by participation from member organizations of the Coastal Bend Water Alliance. The purpose of the gathering was to share updates on local water projects, review available state resources, and strengthen regional collaboration on water supply and infrastructure planning.
In his opening remarks, Senator Hinojosa emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in addressing water challenges facing South Texas. He highlighted the need for long-term planning and collaboration among cities, water districts, and state agencies to ensure reliable water supplies for residents, agriculture, and economic development throughout the Coastal Bend.
Local water project updates were presented by member organizations, followed by a presentation from the Texas Water Development Board. Keta Caballero, Outreach Specialist and Program Coordinator for the Board, provided information on available funding programs and grant opportunities, as well as the importance of regional water planning efforts supported by the state.
The meeting also included a discussion on the future of water planning in Texas. Carlos Rubinstein, principal of RSAH20 LLC and former chairman of the Texas Water Development Board, spoke about the importance of regional collaboration and shared strategies to address long-term water supply needs. Rubinstein discussed how cooperation among local entities can improve efficiency and help communities compete for state funding.
Another presentation focused on regionalization and water system coordination. Bobby Janecka, former commissioner of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, addressed common misconceptions related to regional water planning and outlined opportunities to improve service delivery while maintaining local control.
An expert panel followed, featuring Dan Leyendecker, P.E., of Ardurra; Buddy Garcia of Modern Stewardship; and John Michael, P.E., of Hanson. Panelists discussed infrastructure planning, conservation strategies, and engineering considerations affecting water availability in the Coastal Bend. The discussion emphasized the importance of long-term planning, sustainability, and preparation for population growth and drought.
The meeting concluded with a discussion on next steps for the Coastal Bend Water Alliance. Chad Magill outlined the organization’s future goals, including continued collaboration with state agencies, pursuit of funding opportunities, and ongoing engagement with local communities.
State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, who represents Senate District 20, also commented on the regional efforts taking place that week. His staff attended the meeting as part of ongoing coordination on water issues across South Texas.
“Water is a major topic in South Texas and the Coastal Bend this week,” Hinojosa said. “Yesterday afternoon, my Corpus Christi staff attended a Coastal Bend Water Alliance meeting, hosted by Sen. Adam Hinojosa, focused on water issues. We are all working together to ensure that our families, communities, and businesses have the water they need to thrive.”
The January 22 meeting emphasizes the growing emphasis on regional cooperation to strengthen water planning, improve infrastructure, and secure long-term water reliability for the Coastal Bend and surrounding South Texas communities.
