UPDATE - City Seeking Additional Water Sources During Stage 3 Water Restrictions

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - As drought conditions continue over much of Texas, the City of Corpus Christi remains under Stage 3 water restrictions. The combined levels for the City's primary water source, Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon Reservoirs, are 19.2%.

Unfortunately, December through February historically produces the least amount of rain in the area. These uncontrollable weather conditions highlight the importance of increasing water availability.

Current water supply projects include:

Mary Rhodes Pipeline

The City is actively working to increase the Mary Rhodes Pipeline's capacity. Several engineering projects are now in place that will allow us to potentially bring an additional 20 million gallons of water a day through the pipeline as early as April.

Groundwater Sources

The City continues to look into potential groundwater sources to supplement reservoir supplies. Engineering assessments are underway to evaluate aquifers in the region that could provide additional water resources.

Effluent

The City produces millions of gallons of wastewater effluent daily, also known as Type 2 reclaimed water. This reclaimed wastewater is available for commercial watering for irrigation in remote or controlled access areas, cooling tower water, and other potential beneficial uses. The City is working to eliminate subscription fees and streamline the permit process, making this water solution more accessible to commercial and industrial users.

CCW is working on a Type I reclaimed water project at the Oso Wastewater Treatment Plant to make this effluent available to residential customers. Once completed, the drive-up loading station will provide up to 20,000 gallons of Type I reclaimed water daily, suitable for residential landscape irrigation, power washing or other residential applications.

Corpus Christi's Parks and Recreation Department uses effluent to irrigate over 700 trees throughout the city and other landscaped areas. Treated wastewater is also used at municipal golf courses.

CC Polymers

CC Polymers, a plastic manufacturing facility located on the Corpus Christi Ship Channel, has a permit to operate a seawater desalination plant. Once completed, the plant could produce approximately 9.4 million gallons of water per day (MGD). CC Polymers and City consultants are investigating this potential water source and how it could be integrated into the City's drinking water system for municipal or industrial use.

In early December 2024, City departments proactively began reducing their water use by stopping or reducing non-essential outside landscape irrigation at City facility grounds, including park irrigation, fountain operations, and facility pressure washing. In addition, there was ongoing coordination with industry representatives to ensure their partnership on conservation efforts.

To learn more about Stage 3 water restrictions and frequently asked questions, visit stage3.cctexas.com.

For media inquiries, contact Robert Gonzales, Public Information Manager, at (361) 826-3233 or [email protected].

Every Drop Counts, Conserve Corpus Christi.

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