CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The City of Orange Grove said it is seeing sudden changes in both water levels and water quality in its primary drinking water source, raising concerns about increases in groundwater pumping in the region as leaders from neighboring areas search for new water sources and increase demand on current systems amid historic drought.
In a news release Monday, city officials said they have documented rapid declines in aquifer levels along with increasing total dissolved solids, or TDS, which are approaching “operational thresholds”.
According to the statement, the city relies exclusively on the Evangeline/Goliad Sands Aquifer for its drinking water and said it has maintained a stable supply for more than 90 years…