CORPUS CHRISTI — The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has approved an emergency order requested by regional municipalities to temporarily suspend reservoir pass-through water requirements, according to an Aug. 25 news release from the City of Corpus Christi.
The TCEQ approval allows water that would otherwise be subject to pass-through requirements to remain within the regional water supply system while combined storage in Choke Canyon Reservoir and Lake Corpus Christi remains at or below 50%. As of Aug. 31, the two reservoirs held a combined storage capacity of 41.7%, according to Water Data for Texas.
Multiple municipalities in San Patricio County and surrounding areas — including Portland, Ingleside, Aransas Pass, Sinton, Rockport, Odem, and more — receive their water supply from the City of Corpus Christi via the San Patricio County Municipal Water District.
The TCEQ Commission is scheduled to consider whether to affirm, modify or set aside the emergency order during a meeting on Sept. 9.
“The city thanks our entire state delegation and partners in Austin for their support and advocacy in advancing this request,” the City of Corpus Christi said in a statement. “Their continued partnership remains critical as the city works to protect the region’s water supply and strengthen long-term water security.”