Officials highlight reduced residential use and ongoing projects including groundwater, desalination, and reuse initiatives in city’s weekly water briefing.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — City of Corpus Christi officials outlined the latest updates on the city’s long-range water supply planning during a public briefing on Friday, emphasizing ongoing projects, conservation efforts, and future diversification of the water supply.
Nick Winkleman, Chief Operating Officer of Corpus Christi Water, said residential customers have significantly reduced water use and are already performing projected allocation levels below.
According to the latest data, Choke Canyon Reservoir sits at 7.3% and Lake Corpus Christi at 8.7%, bringing the combined capacity to about 7.7%, while Lake Texana remains higher at 66% following recent rainfall.
Despite the low levels, officials say residents are already doing their part, using less water than projected targets.
“Our residential customers…have made tremendous efforts to reduce their water usage,” Winkleman said. “They are already below what a potential allocation might be.
“Our residential customers have made tremendous efforts to reduce their water usage,” Winkleman said. “They are, on average, already below what the allocation might be.”
Winkleman also highlighted continued progress on major supply projects, including groundwater development in Nueces County, seawater desalination planning, reclaimed water reuse initiatives, and pipeline construction tied to new treatment systems.
Winkleman noted that construction and design work are advancing across multiple projects, including brackish groundwater treatment, which is expected to begin initial deliveries in 2027.
Officials also reiterated its goal of diversifying water sources to include surface water, groundwater, seawater, and reclaimed effluent to ensure long-term supply stability.
Officials said no level one water emergency is currently in effect, but planning and stakeholder engagement continue as conditions are closely monitored.