The Coastal Bend and South Texas remain in a water shortage, but recent rainfall and resulting increased volume of regional reservoirs has paved the way for additional loosening of water restrictions.
Corpus Christi City Manager Peter Zanoni announced Aug. 27 the City of Corpus Christi has moved to Stage 1 water restrictions. Local municipalities including Portland, Ingleside, Aransas Pass, Odem, Mathis, Taft, and Sinton receive their water from the San Patricio County Municipal Water District, which purchases water from Corpus Christi.
The easing of restrictions to Stage 1 is triggered when the combined storage levels of Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon Reservoir reach 40% capacity. As of Sept. 1, the reservoirs were at a combined 41.7% capacity, according to Water Data for Texas.
Local cities are contractually obligated to abide by the same restrictions as the City of Corpus Christi. Portland, Aransas Pass, Ingleside and other area municipalities have begun implementing the Stage 1 rules effective Aug. 27.
Under Stage 1 water restrictions, landscape irrigation using automatic sprinkler systems or hose-end sprinklers is permitted once per week on each customer’s designated watering day, before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
Hand watering with a handheld hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle, a watering can or bucket or a drip irrigation system is permitted on any day before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
For more information about what Stage 1 restrictions entail, community members can visit https://stage1.corpuschristitx.gov.