Corpus Christi officials are working to repair the Mary Rhodes Pipeline after a leak forced the pipeline to be completely shut down Friday afternoon.
The leak was discovered about halfway along the pipeline after crews noticed pressure dropping in the line. Corpus Christi Water immediately sent crews to the site to assess the problem and begin repairs.
Corpus Christi Water COO Nick Winkelmann said leaks can occur on a pipeline that has been in service for decades.
“Anytime you’re dealing with a pipeline that is two or three decades old, instances like this will occur,” Winkelmann said. “They have occurred in the past, and unfortunately they will occur in the future.”
While the pipeline is out of service, the city has begun releasing more water from Lake Corpus Christi and is putting at least double the amount of water into the Nueces River from the western water fields along the Nueces.
“In essence, our water supply will 100% be coming from the western reservoirs and the Nueces groundwater program,” Winkelmann said.
There is a time delay involved in moving that water through the system. It takes about three days for water from Lake Corpus Christi to reach the O.N. Stevens Water Treatment Plant.
The city has also asked large-volume water users to reduce their water consumption while the pipeline is out of service.
“My understanding is we have reached out to some of our larger water users and asked them to back down how much water they use, and they’re very supportive and they’re working on that,” Corpus Christi City Councilman Mark Scott said.
Officials said the next step is to inspect the pipeline and conduct a forensic analysis to determine what caused the leak.
City Councilman Eric Cantu said council members have been told by city staff that they hope repairs will be completed by Friday, allowing the pipeline to return to service and water operations to return to normal.