This problem has been percolating in my feed for months. Major city on the edge of water crisis. Oil and gas production a major contributor. Climate driven heat wave adding to the urgency.
A yearslong drought and a recent boom of refineries settling along Corpus Christi Bay has nearly drained the city’s water supply. Two of the city’s three main reservoirs have shrunk below 10% capacity. Now the city is depending on a patchwork of temporary sources for water, which may run dry by July.
Residents have been asked by the city to conserve water, with nonessential, outdoor watering prohibited. The city plans to limit how many days splash pads are open over summer break. A local high school canceled its annual car wash fundraiser.
The Texas Tribune spoke to nearly a dozen locals, and many said they have been, begrudgingly, limiting their shower times and laundry runs, and letting their lawns turn brown. Residents say the shortage is impacting their daily lives, even though they don’t feel like they are the problem.
Alejandro is asking the city to place stricter regulations on refineries that are consuming most of the city’s water.
“Put citizens and the people living here ahead of the corporations, ahead of the people that are actually over consuming the water,” the 15-year Corpus Christi resident said. “Why do we have to make these adjustments when it’s not us using most of the water?”
After a forceful windstorm recently uprooted many of her plants, Alejandro decided to not try to save her garden.
“We haven’t been able to water anything,” she said. She let her peach tree die.
The city is currently in a stage 3 drought, meaning regular lawn watering and automatic irrigation systems are not allowed. Residents have been asked to hand wash their cars and boats with 5-gallon buckets. They’re allowed to water vegetable beds and plants with a hand-held hose, but Alejandro said she’s not optimistic that the city’s crisis will get better anytime soon.
A parallel problem, subsidence as aquifers are over used and water levels drop, is affecting cities across the US, none more than Houston area.