CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The City of Corpus Christi is already getting applications for exemptions to Stage 3 water restrictions.
Those just went into effect on Monday. City officials said that there have been at least seven applications submitted so far.
Corpus Christi Water said that it typically takes about two to seven business days to process these exemption applications. Those applications have been available ever since Stage 1 of the city's Drought Contingency Plan began.
"We look and review each application on a case-by-case basis and apply the appropriate authorization or approvals for each of these applications," Esteban Ramos, water resource manager for Corpus Christi Water said.
He said that they are evaluating applications based on need and the purpose of the water used.
He said information provided in the application can make an argument for an exemption, but approvals might be harder to come by in Stage 3.
"The approval may not be as often as we did see in Stage 1 or 2, and it's because we're in a serious higher level drought situation," Ramos said.
He explained that even if an exemption is granted, people still need to use water responsibly and be understanding of the current situation.
The South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center has an exemption during Stage 3 water restrictions.
Executive Director Michael Womack said that they are doing their part to conserve water — like not watering their grass.
"We do very selected hand watering of specimen plants in order to maintain our collections just like any other commercial operation would do at this point," he said. "But we want to be the example for our community."
Womack predicts that with Stage 3 in effect, residents with plants will likely start making the switch to ones that do not require as much water.
"You'll see more cactus, more agaves, more succulents, they do not use as much water and also selected palms," Womack said. "These things are going to make us have a green landscape even when we're in times with minimal water available."
Those plants are growing at the botanical gardens, and he said that people can see them during Holly Days, which will be on Friday and Saturday evening this week.
Ramos said that he encourages the community to come together as we try to get out of Stage 3 water restrictions.
For those who believe that they may be eligible, the exemption application is available on the City of Corpus Christi's website, and Ramos said that people can call 3-1-1 with any questions.