MISSION, Texas - Many of the state lawmakers that participate in next week’s Texas Water Day at the Capitol will likely know about the dire water crisis facing the Rio Grande Valley.
Certainly, those that traveled the region as part of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership’s recent 2025 RGV Legislative Tour will be aware.
That is because they heard twice from Dante Galeazzi, president and CEO of the Texas International Produce Association. He spoke once during a panel discussion that focused on water availability challenges. That was held at the Center for Education & Economic Development in Mission. He also gave speech at Wonderful Citrus, also in Mission.
At both events Galeazzi was blunt. The Valley has a “water crisis” on its hands, he said.
“We've got a series of challenges that are driving the water situation here in South Texas,” Galeazzi said. Of our two international reservoirs, Falcon Dam is at 14% capacity. It’s never been that low. And Amistad Dam is at 26%.”
Galeazzi pointed out that only 58 percent of the water in those dams can be used in the Valley.
“Ninety percent of our fresh water here in the Valley comes from the river,” Galeazzi said, And Mexico owes more than a million-acre feet (of water) under an international treaty.”
Galeazzi continued: “Talking about all of the inflows, every bit of water that's supposed to be coming to the Rio Grande Valley, or into the Rio Grande River, is down over the last 30 years. It's trending 30% down and more. So, we have a dire situation.”
Galeazzi said more than 50% of the 1.3 million citizens that live in the Valley reside in unincorporated towns. As a result, he said, they depend on water districts to get their water.
“The water districts don't have water. Those guys aren't going to be able to turn on water and get it out of the faucets.”
Although the 1944 U.S.-Mexico Water Treaty is a federal issue, there are things the State of Texas can do to help the Valley, Galeazzi said.
“We're here at a very difficult time. I don’t want to understate it. It is doom and gloom time,” Galeazzi said.
“We are in a position where we have got to figure something out and the time to act is now. We can't postpone things until the next session. We can't kick this ball down the road.”
Galeazzi then explained the importance of the agricultural industry to the Valley.
“You have more than half a million irrigated acres here in agriculture. You have a $1 million impact. You have 8,000 direct jobs in South Texas, and guys, those 8,000 do not include the ecosystem of jobs. It doesn’t include seeds, chemical, box trucks, finance, banks, everybody that is involved in agriculture. So, you're talking about a collapse of all of that.”
For those that were unaware, Galeazzi said the Valley has already lost its sugar growing industry. “Last February, we lost the sugar mill. That was 500 jobs at the sugar mill, with more than 400 farmers handling this crop. It's all gone because of water.”
What the State of Texas can do is help fund the lining of the Valley’s canal system, Galeazzi told visiting lawmaker and their chiefs of staff.
Galeazzi said there have been some small victories. He said U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz was able to get some emergency money. And there are a few small water projects going on.
“But guys, let me be very clear, these projects are too small. They are not having the impact you need.”
What the State of Texas can do is help fund the lining of the Valley’s canal system, Galeazzi told visiting lawmaker and their chiefs of staff.
“We have more than 3,400 miles of canal systems here in the Valley, those canal systems deliver 85% of all the water used in the Valley. Almost all of those canals are earth with clay lining,” Galeazzi explained.
“We need those to be updated. We are losing 40% to 60% of the water moving through those canals just to evaporation and seepage alone.”
By lining the canals with concrete and canopies, the evaporation and seepage can be eliminated, Galeazzi argued.
“We can fix it but it's not small price tag. It costs us $5 million to line all 3,400 miles of earthen canal. But I believe if we can get the state and the federal government, and probably a combination of our local forces together, we can make that happen,” Galeazzi said.
“And the best part is, if we line these canals, we can see conservation savings to the better part of between 300,000-acre feet to 900,000 acre feet in two to five years.”
In his speech at Wonderful Citrus, Galeazzi also spoke about the work of the Texas Water Development Board and the Region M Planning Group. He said they have produced great regional plans that ought to be implemented.
