CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Stage 1 water restrictions were declared Tuesday for the City of Corpus Christi as drought conditions persist with little rain in the forecast.
Although combined lake levels typically need to reach 40% capacity before triggering the City's drought contingency plan, City Manager Peter Zanoni told 3News that he wants residents to get a head start at practicing good water conservation habits.
Zanoni said the combined lake levels were sitting at 42% Monday, down from 43.7% just a week before. These percentages are based off the water levels at Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon.
"Our region is in an extreme drought, and the drought is worsening," Zanoni said. "It's deepening."
Stage 1 of the City's Drought Contingency Plan includes the following restrictions:
- Residents can use their irrigation system only once a week on their trash collection day before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
- City crews will prioritize response to repairs and leaks.
- The City will monitor Stage 1 compliance.
During Stage 1, commercial car washes and landscape nurseries are not impacted. Residents are encouraged to follow these water-conscious conservation measures:
- Avoid water run-off on streets and sidewalks.
- Check for water leaks around your home.
- Wash full loads in your laundry and dishwasher.
"It's mostly irrigation, home irrigation, commercial, real estate irrigation," Zanoni said. "That drops from any day of the week to one day a week."
Meanwhile, the City of Alice in nearby Jim Wells County also relies on Lake Corpus Christi. They called for Stage 1 water restrictions last week after the lake level dropped below 88 feet.
"This is a month earlier than last year we are getting to stage one, so it’s happening more and more, " Alice City Manager Michael Esparza said.
Esparza added that it can be nerve-wracking because they solely rely on Lake Corpus Christi, and they don’t have control of what water is released and what isn’t.
"We have to pump the water 22 miles uphill from Lake Corpus Christi to us, and it’s a challenge," Esparza said.
He said they are actively looking into a secondary water source and are concerned about the drought.
"We are in mid-stage of that," Esparza said. "We want to provide water to our residents."
In Corpus Christi, Zanoni asks that everyone to do their part to monitor their consumption and conservation as we navigate this year’s drought.
To learn more about water conservation and find other helpful resources, visit www.cctexas.com/conserve.
More from 3News on KIIITV.com:
- Mary Carroll High School alumni say goodbye to the old campus, "Once a Tiger, always a Tiger"
- High temperatures in Texas affect marine life as the water heats up
- CCISD looking to introduce new gun detecting technology into schools
- 'You're going to be held accountable': Two arrested for posting threat toward Aransas County schools
- Family waits months to receive death certificate from NuCo Medical Examiner's Office
- 'Incredibly emotional': Corpus Christi father, daughter funeral service workers on front lines in Uvalde
- Need to beat the heat? Here is a list of cooling centers in Corpus Christi
- Coastal Bend Pride Center continues to grow their efforts and resources
- Uvalde victim had her heart set on attending Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. They're now setting up a scholarship in her name.
Want to send us a news tip?
Put your name and contact information below so we can get in touch with you about your story should we have questions or need more information. We realize some stories are sensitive in nature. Let us know if you'd like to remain anonymous.
If you do not have a photo/video to submit, just click "OK" to skip that prompt.