The Corpus Christi City Council has approved the first reading of proposed updates to the Drought Contingency Plan, with a final vote scheduled for Feb. 11. If passed, the changes will go into effect on Feb. 12.
The updates are part of the city’s effort to ensure a reliable water supply and were informed by community feedback, council recommendations and research into other cities’ drought plans. The DCP is a state-mandated plan that addresses temporary drought conditions and water emergencies, with updates required every five years.
Key changes in the drought contingency plan
- Water Shortage Watch: Introduces a voluntary stage asking customers to limit irrigation to once per week when lake capacity falls below 50%.
- Stage 2 Water Restrictions: Reduces irrigation with hose-end sprinklers and automatic systems to once every other week while allowing handheld and drip irrigation daily.
- Stage 3 Water Restrictions: Prohibits irrigation but permits limited watering for trees and plants and requires pools to be covered when not in use.
- Water Emergency (Stage 4): Implements additional restrictions and introduces drought surcharges based on water usage.
Under Stage 2, 3 and Water Emergency conditions, surcharges ranging from $1.00 to $4.00 per 1,000 gallons will be applied to residential, commercial and industrial accounts exceeding specified usage thresholds.
Eligible businesses may also participate in the city’s Drought Surcharge Exemption Fee program, which funds the development of drought-resistant water supplies. Since its creation in 2018, the program has collected $21.5 million for water infrastructure investments, ac
