CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The city of Corpus Christi could be entering Stage 3 water restrictions by the end of the summer, CCW Water Resources Manager Esteban Ramos tells 3NEWS.
Combined lake levels are currently just above 28 percent.
The combined lake storage water levels have to fall below 20 percent capacity to initiate Stage 3, which the city considers a 'critical water shortage.'
Water usage is at its highest during this time, when officials estimate the O.N. Stevens Water Treatment Plant produces up to 110 million gallons of water a day to fulfill the local need.
It took 21 months for the Corpus Christi to go from Stage 1 restrictions to entering Stage 2 on March 12.
To get out of Stage 3 water restrictions, therefore re-entering Stage 2 water restrictions, the combined lake storage levels must increase above 35 percent.
According to a draft of the City of Corpus Christi's Drought Contingency Plan published in 2023, a surcharge will be added to each utility bill during Stage 3 water restrictions to discourage excessive water use.
Other rules will include:
- Irrigation of landscaped areas would be prohibited at all times
- Residents will not be able to wash their vehicles unless at a car wash facility or in the interest of public safety
- Filling and refilling of pools will also be prohibited unless the water is obtained from a source other than Corpus Christi Water
- Home and building owners also will still be able to water foundations on their designated Stage 2 watering day during Stage 3 restrictions.
Multi-skilled Journalist Brandon Schaff contributed to this story.
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