As Corpus Christi braces for a potential water crisis that may arise by September, the city council convened on Tuesday to discuss a significant proposal aimed at reducing water consumption across residents, businesses, and industries by 25%.
A vote on the proposed water usage reduction will take place next Tuesday, with the current plan calling for an initial 5% decrease in water consumption during emergencies. However, the situation has become urgent as ongoing drought conditions have caused the city’s primary reservoirs—Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon Reservoir—to dwindle to a mere 8% of their total capacity, prompting a reassessment of the city’s water management strategy.
City officials are preparing for a stage 1 emergency, which is anticipated to occur in September if significant rainfall does not materialize and if the city’s allocation from Lake Texana is restricted due to drought conditions. “Our aim is to avoid reaching this critical point,” stated Nick Winklemann, the city’s water department chief operating officer. “We cannot afford for demand to exceed our supply.”
The average household uses approximately 7,000 gallons of water monthly, and under the proposed plan, this would be reduced to 5,250 gallons. Winklemann noted that about 30% of residential customers currently exceed this limit.
Violating the proposed water restrictions would be classified as a Class C misdemeanor, penalized by a fine of up to $500. Moreover, repeated violations could result in the city suspending the water supply for at least one billing cycle, a measure that Mayor Paulette Guajardo deemed severe. “I could never support cutting off someone’s water,” she expressed, highlighting concerns that residents may unintentionally exceed their limits, especially during the summer months when children are home. “What measures can we implement to better inform our residents about their usage?” she questioned.
With a population of 300,000 residents and numerous local businesses, the city is under pressure to finalize an emergency response plan and secure new water sources. The ongoing drought coincides with an extended effort by city leaders to attract refineries and other industries to the Corpus Christi Bay, significantly increasing water demand. Currently, industrial facilities account for up to 60% of the city’s water usage, according to local officials.
The water department has proposed adding surcharges to the bills of those who exceed set water consumption thresholds. For instance, residential customers would incur an additional $4 charge for every 1,000 gallons consumed over the 7,000-gallon limit, which 13% of customers already surpass. Commercial entities, including hotels and restaurants, would face similar surcharges after exceeding 55,000 gallons per month.
Some council members raised the possibility of establishing thresholds based on individual customer water usage patterns rather than a uniform limit. The proposal allows for exemptions for commercial customers, such as hospitals and schools, if they can demonstrate that adhering to the water limits could jeopardize public health, sanitation, or firefighting capabilities. Additionally, households with larger families may request variances.
Determining water usage limits for apartment complexes presents challenges, Winkelmann noted, prompting plans to analyze their consumption patterns individually. Industrial users also have the option to buy into a drought surcharge exemption fee, described by City Manager Peter Zanoni as an “insurance program.” This allows large-volume users to pay an additional fee of 31 cents per 1,000 gallons to avoid higher charges during water emergencies. Eight companies, including Valero and Citgo, have enrolled in this program, contributing approximately $6 million annually for water development projects.
If a stage 1 emergency is declared, residents would be prohibited from washing vehicles, boats, and trailers, a decision met with resistance from Mayor Guajardo, who emphasized the city’s coastal identity and the importance of recreational fishing events. “We are a coastal community,” she asserted.
Furthermore, residents would be restricted from watering landscaped areas, permitted only for potted plants. Filling or refilling pools, hot tubs, and jacuzzis would be allowed only to maintain structural integrity. The city also plans to reduce the operational hours of public pools and splash pads, a move that council member Eric Cantu opposed. “In Corpus Christi, we face issues with youth violence, and we need to provide safe spaces for our children,” he argued. “This decision seems misguided; residents are not to blame for the current situation.”
Council member Carolyn Vaughn, however, countered that difficult sacrifices would be necessary. “It’s going to be tough, but we all need to pitch in,” she stated. City officials noted that splash pads utilize approximately 300 gallons daily, while city pools consume around 1.8 million gallons over the summer months.
To keep the community informed, the city will host monthly informational sessions leading up to September, with the first scheduled for May 11. Recently, the city sold out its stock of rain barrels, which residents can buy for $47 to collect rainwater, and expects a shipment of 500 additional barrels shortly.
