Citizen Urges the City Council to Prioritize Water Conservation Amid Ongoing Drought

Sandra Fuentes, co-chair of the Border Organization, spoke to the council about the importance of addressing the water scarcity and drought that the city is currently facing during the citizen's comments portion of the August 27, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting.

Sandra Fuentes, co-chair of the Border Organization, took to the podium during the citizen’s comments portion of the Regular City Council Meeting on August 27, 2024 to urge the city council and staff to prioritize water conservation and address the issue of water scarcity as the city continues to face an ongoing drought. 

“This evening, I would just like to give notice to this council that the Border Organization will be joining forces with other organizations on the issue of water, or lack of water,” Fuentes began. “Contrary to what a lot of people in this community, the city of Del Rio or Val Verde County, might think, our number one most pressing issue is the lack of water.” 

She went on to cite the Water Conservation Workshop that was held at the Casa de la Cultura and led by Edwards Aquifer Authority General Manager, Roland Ruiz, on August 20, 2024. “Last week I attended a water workshop and the General Manager of the Edwards Aquifer said a lot of important information, but the one thing that stood out to me, was that this drought that we’ve been having, is something that we’re expecting to last for the next 30 years.” 

 Fuentes told the council that the Border Organization intends to form a coalition of different organizations in this community in hopes of working with the city towards a solution. “Let’s be proactive, let’s see what we can do, we obviously can’t make it rain but let’s get educated.” 

“We [The Border Organization] are hopefully going to bring in some water authorities from Austin and San Antonio to educate this community, but more importantly, to educate the elected officials for the city and the county,” she concluded before thanking the council for their time and returning to her seat.