CORPUS CHRISTI, TX \u2014 Under a Level 1 water emergency, 30% of Corpus Christi residents are facing a major lifestyle change. Potential water curtailment to 5,250 gallons a month threatens families, large households, and people who have already made cuts but are still above that threshold.<\/p>\n
How Corpus Christi residents can apply for water limit exemptions during the Level 1 water emergency<\/p>\n
Susan Gonzales has a family of four and three dogs. During Tuesday’s public comments, she said the water curtailment rate is not feasible for homes like hers.<\/p>\n
“We’re looking at the toilet like do we flush do we not flush? I’m looking at my husband like ‘we showering together or what?'” Gonzales said.<\/p>\n
Despite making water cuts around the house, Gonzales said she cannot reach the proposed 5,250-gallon a month allotment for residents in a Level 1 water emergency.<\/p>\n
“You want to take me from 10, 8, bring me down to 7 and then reduce 25% on top of that?” Gonzales said.<\/p>\n
“There have got to be allowances in place for people that have these types of things,” she added.<\/p>\n
How to apply for a water limit exemption<\/p>\n
For residents who cannot meet the limit, the city offers a variance or exemption application for a larger water allotment.<\/p>\n
The city’s variance form asks for several details<\/a>, including the applicant’s name, address, and phone number. It also requires the reason for applying and why an exemption is being requested.<\/p>\n Additionally, the form asks for the dates and times the extra water is needed and the source the water will be drawn from. <\/p>\n Finally, applicants must explain how they have been conserving water and how the restrictions will cause damage or be a threat to their safety.<\/p>\n I asked Corpus Christi Water COO Nick Winkelmann what people can do to have the best chance of getting their exemption approved.<\/p>\n “We’re going to have to evaluate the waivers as they come. I would hesitate to provide any concrete details,” Winkelmann said.<\/p>\n Staff is working to make these applications simpler.<\/p>\n “We’re gonna beef up the instructions. We’re going to create a new landing page for that variance as we will be expecting them,” Winkelmann said.<\/p>\n Work continues on an online portal where tracking water usage and applying for variances would be easier. I will find out more at the water briefing on Friday.<\/p>\n For the latest local news updates, click here<\/a>, or download the KRIS 6 News App. <\/a><\/p>\n