exTRA by the Trinity River Authority of Texas

Up until last weekend, it had been an especially dry winter across Texas. From Dec. 1 through Jan. 20, San Antonio had recorded just 0.34 inch of rain, or only about 10% of the average amount of rainfall recorded during that period. It was the same story throughout the entire state. When meteorological winter started on Dec. 1, just 44% of Texas was considered to be in moderate drought, according to U.S. Drought Monitor data. But by the week of Jan. 22, that figure had risen to more than 68%.

The City of Marlin says frozen equipment at the water plant forced production to shut down overnight, draining the clear well that normally supplies water to homes across town. The situation resulted in a disaster declaration from Mayor Susan Byrd.

Crews working with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) worked to rescue cold-stunned sea turtles off the state’s coast as extreme cold weather moved across the eastern United States. TPWD released this footage to X on January 27. In the post, the department wrote, “Along the Texas coast, [at] TexasGameWarden and partner organizations have been rescuing cold-stunned sea turtles. Turtles are taken to rehabilitation centers to recover before being released back into the wild.”

As temperatures rise, reports of burst pipes and failing water heaters are increasing across North Texas. Crews urge caution as cold returns overnight.

Corpus Christi City Council approves reclaimed water agreement with Flint Hills Resources to reuse treated wastewater for industrial purposes.

Invasive apple snails continue to spread in San Antonio’s River Walk. Officials are testing new barrier systems to curb reproduction.

Dr. Karl Kaiser has been studying the volume of microplastic pollution in Gulf Coast bodies of water by space.

A river authority in central Texas has been awarded a $29 million grant to strengthen flood monitoring systems while a neighboring river authority is under state legislative scrutiny. The state comptroller’s Broadband Development Office has awarded a $29 million grant to the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) to expand high-speed internet access in rural communities and strengthen flood-monitoring systems in Central Texas.

The master plan will serve as a roadmap to guide infrastructure construction between FM 78 and I-10, which is a new sewer service area for Cibolo, according to an email from the city.

State and local officials say they’re better prepared than they were five years ago when Winter Storm Uri blanketed the state, killing hundreds and leaving scores without power and water.

Marlin residents received free bottles of water at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church as the city faces issues with its water treatment plant. Vehicles received up to two cases of bottled water.

Mayor Susan Byrd declared a state of disaster on Monday.

Byrd told KWTX the issue was likely a frozen water valve. The city has not confirmed a cause. There is no timeline for when the issue will be fixed.

The series 2026A bond provides final funding for the city’s Secondary Colorado River Raw Water Line project, which includes about 15 miles of pipeline and a pump station expansion, as well as upgrades to the water treatment plant and related infrastructure.

Corpus Christi City Council approves 30-year recycled water agreement with Valero for 8 million gallons daily, reducing demand on drinking water.

There are currently seven pending permits submitted by the TCEQ to pump treated wastewater into Salado Creek.

Two bald eagle chicks successfully hatched during a freezing winter storm at a North Texas wetlands center and are now being monitored by thousands of viewers via a 24/7 live-stream.

Harlingen Waterworks officials are racing to finalize a $42 million infrastructure deal before a looming grant deadline. The project, which involves state approval and lower interest rates, is expected to break ground by August.

A boil-water notice has been issued for those in the Central Heights neighborhood north of Nacogdoches on U.S. Highway 259.

The first sign of trouble appeared in 2003 when the water samples came back salty. This remote corner of West Texas, known as the T-Bar Ranch, had long served as the City of Midland’s insurance policy for water security. Midland purchased 20,000 acres spanning Winkler and Loving Counties in 1965, waiting for the day it would need to pump water from the property. Extra salts in the aquifer was not part of the plan.

The Groves City Council approved a Notice of Intention to Issue Certificates of Obligation (COs) in an amount not to exceed $26 million on January 12. This is a step that allows the city to move forward with major upgrades to its wastewater treatment system and drainage infrastructure. City officials say the projects are necessary to address aging infrastructure, much of which was built decades ago and is nearing or has exceeded its intended lifespan.