About Us

The Center for Water Supply Studies (CWSS) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) was organized in 1991, by Dr. C. Alan Berkebile, with the support of a special legislative appropriation, to initiate cross-disciplinary research on water resources and other water related issues in the Coastal Bend of South Texas.  The Center focuses on research and education to develop professionals and leaders who can recognize and address water issues. Through active research CWSS provides the information needed to evaluate alternative strategies for local and regional management of surface and subsurface water resources.  CWSS is an integral partner in the Environmental Research Consortium at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi. CWSS collaborates on projects with a variety of universities, community conservation organizations, and local, state, and federal agencies.  CWSS is a non-degree-granting institution which supports undergraduate and graduate students seeking degrees in various disciplines. Faculty and staff associated with the Center serve as advisors and mentors for Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi students.

Our Mission

The Center for Water Supply Studies is dedicated to addressing water supply issues in the South Texas Region by: conducting relevant research, disseminating information via partnerships with local, state and federal agencies, evaluating resource management strategies that impact water quality/quantity in reservoirs, rivers, bays, estuaries, and aquifers, educating citizens to understand water supply issues, and developing synergy between higher education institutions and the Center for Water Supply Studies.

Our Vision

The Center for Water Supply Studies is committed to:

  • Conducting original research on surface water systems and on subsurface aquifer characterization and stratigraphic complexity through quality data collection and modeling
  • Assessing management strategies for maintaining water quality and quantity while balancing conservation and resource needs
  • Compiling, analyzing and disseminating data now being gathered by the Center and other agencies
  • Supporting Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi's research and education goals as well as its commitment to public service

Our Objectives

Research

  • Investigate aquifer dynamics, and freshwater/saltwater interactions
  • Climate variability impacts on coastal water resources
  • Nutrient (and other constituents) export to coastal embayments through submarine groundwater discharge 
  • Seasonal and temporal dynamics of submarine groundwater discharge to south Texas estuaries
  • Analyses the role of coastal depositional environments on submarine groundwater discharge
  • Analyses the role of coastal depositional environments on submarine groundwater discharge
  • Develop techniques for evaluating water contamination using proxies
  • Conduct geophysical studies to evaluate the stratigraphic and hydrogeological properties of aquifers

Compliance and Remediation Studies

  • Evaluate and model pollutants such as bacteria and trace elements in local hydrologic systems
  • Model groundwater availability
  • Apply GIS technology to develop integrated databases for evaluating water resource issues

Education

  • Supervise Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi graduate students in stratigraphic and hydrogeological investigations
  • Mentor Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi undergraduate students in directed independent studies involving hydrogeological investigations
  • Support the Environmental Science and Geology Programs at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi by serving as course instructors
  • Provide computing and laboratory facilities for graduate and undergraduate studies and research

Community Outreach

  • Support conservation efforts by participating on advisory boards and forums oriented to local resource preservation
  • Counsel local school district educators about water resources and water quality issues affecting the coastal bend
  • Expose students from local school districts to water supply and Earth science topic