Lower Nueces River: Implementing the Watershed Protection Plan
Nueces River Authority is implementing the Lower Nueces River Watershed Protection Plan by remediating malfunctioning septic systems.
On this page:
Project Area
River Basin: Nueces
Water Body: Lower Nueces River (2102)
Location: Live Oak, Bee, Jim Wells, Nueces, and San Patricio counties
Background
The Lower Nueces River below Lake Corpus Christi did not meet state water quality standards due to high levels of total dissolved solids and was added to the 2012 Texas Integrated Report of Surface Water Quality for Clean Water Act Sections 305(b) and 303(d). Water quality improved and the Lower Nueces River was delisted in 2022. Although bacteria levels in the river meet the state standards allowable for primary contact recreation, the Nueces River Authority and Clean Rivers Program identified a trend of increasing bacteria concentrations.
In 2016, the Lower Nueces River Watershed Partnership, City of Corpus Christi, and Nueces River Authority developed the Lower Nueces River Watershed Protection Plan, which includes management measures to address all water quality issues and concerns. One management measure focused on the repair or replacement of failing septic systems to prevent bacteria levels from exceeding safe levels set by state standards. Four concurrent projects have implemented septic system remediation.
Back to topProject Descriptions
February 2017 – February 2020
Nueces River Authority developed and promoted a voluntary septic system inspection program that offered technical and financial assistance to qualifying homeowners for the repair of 12 septic systems and the replacement of 19 systems. Although this phase of septic system remediation has ended, the Clean Rivers Program and Nueces River Authority will continue to assess in-stream water quality improvements resulting from the program. Results can be found on the Nueces River Partnership webpage and Clean Rivers Program Basin Highlights and Basin Summary reports.
November 2017 – February 2020
Nueces River Authority evaluated the feasibility of connecting about 30 homes with septic systems to existing wastewater collection pipes or using alternative collection systems such as pressure sewers. These systems prevent groundwater infiltration from septic systems and standard collection systems, particularly in areas with high groundwater levels as in the project area. The study concluded that septic system repairs and replacements combined with connecting some of the higher elevation homes to wastewater collection pipes would improve water quality.
October 2018 – August 2022
The Nueces River Authority provided assistance to qualifying homeowners for the repair or replacement of 25 septic systems and hosted one workshop for homeowners on the importance of septic system maintenance.
September 2023 – August 2026
The Nueces River Authority will continue to provide technical and financial assistance to qualifying homeowners for the repair or replacement of at least 24 septic systems. In addition, the river authority will provide watershed residents with information regarding proper septic system operation and maintenance by distributing educational materials and hosting at least one workshop.
For More Information
Nueces River Watershed Partnership Website
Nueces River Authority Website
To find out more about the NPS Program, call 512-239-6682 or email us at nps@tceq.texas.gov.