Drought restrictions lifted for Corpus Christi water users.
Corpus Christi residents now have enough water to keep their grass green and attract development, said Mayor Joe McComb as he announced revisions to the city’s drought contingency plan at a news conference June 5.
“That’s not the case.” He cited ExxonMobil’s decision to build the world’s largest steam cracker plant in San Patricio County as proof the city has plenty of water — for now and the future.
The water conservation plan was year-round.
In the case of a drought, Stage One restrictions, which encourage conservation and efficient use of water on a voluntary basis, kick in when Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon Reservoir drop below 50 percent.
Stage One would also kick in if Lake Texana drops below 40 percent.
With the addition of the Mary Rhodes pipeline, Lake Texana now provides about one-fourth of the city’s water.
Phase 2 takes over from there.
Phase 2 cost $154 million for the final stretch of pipeline to Corpus Christi.
“So we never have an interruption again even if we face a drought.”