Rapid growth in San Patricio County raises big questions about supply.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Growth is accelerating across San Patricio County, with hundreds of new homes planned near Odem and Sinton.
But in a region already dealing with water concerns, that expansion is raising a key question about whether supply can keep up.
Developers are moving forward on multiple projects in Odem. Lennar is building a 500-home subdivision. On the east side of town, another development called Flagstop Crossing will add 153 homes. In southwest Odem, another 250-home neighborhood is planned next to an existing Lennar development.
Odem Mayor David Maldonado says the city welcomes the growth, even as it acknowledges the strain it could bring. He says the new neighborhoods will have an impact, especially with ongoing water issues and the back and forth surrounding supply, but believes the city is in a position to meet the demand.
Officials say newer developments are being built with water and energy efficiency in mind, something some Corpus Christi leaders say should be pushed. Councilman Roland Barrera says he has been asking for years to offer credits for homes that include xeriscaping or more efficient appliances to reduce overall usage.
As demand increases, city leaders say they are not pursuing a moratorium on new water connections. City Manager Peter Zanoni says while limiting new meters would be the easiest option, it is not being recommended, and recent state law changes have made that approach more difficult.
Still, some council members argue conservation efforts need to go further. Councilwoman Carolyn Vaughn is calling out the continued approval of water-intensive businesses, saying allowing car washes to open next to each other during a drought does not make sense.
The total number of new homes in the Odem are is right around 800. Those developments will rely on water from Corpus Christi through the San Patricio Municipal Water District.
As more homes go up, pressure on the region’s water supply continues to build, putting long-term planning in focus across the Coastal Bend.