Corpus Christi Faces Water Crisis Amid Drought and Development Boom
Corpus Christi, Texas, faces a severe water shortage due to a prolonged drought, threatening residents with cutbacks and impacting crucial refineries and petrochemical plants. Decades of underinvestment in water supply and infrastructure, coupled with increased industrial sales and delayed infrastructure projects, have exacerbated the situation. While a complete depletion is unlikely, the city is scrambling to secure new water sources and implement conservation measures, potentially leading to significant rate hikes for residents as they invest in infrastructure. The city’s drought plan, which includes surcharges for heavy industrial users, has drawn criticism for potentially incentivizing continued high water consumption by industry.
John Q. Hosedrinker