Corpus Christi Water Crises Raise Concern Among TAMUCC Students
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS - For students at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, the water crisis in Corpus Christi isn’t really something far away anymore. It’s becoming part of their everyday lives and affecting how they think about their routines and even their future in the city.
The water shortage in Corpus Christi has been driven by a combination of prolonged drought conditions, declining reservoir levels, and ongoing industrial demand. The region has seen limited rainfall in recent years, making it difficult for lakes and reservoirs to recover. At the same time, oil refining industry operations in the area require large amounts of water, further straining the already limited supply. Efforts to find long-term solutions, including a proposed desalination project, have faced setbacks after being rejected by city officials, leaving uncertainty about how the city will address the issue moving forward.
Around campus and in apartments, people have been talking more about saving water and what might happen long-term. Some students say they haven’t really been affected that much yet, but others feel more worried about it getting worse. “The stress of thinking that, ‘someday we are going to run out of water,’ it does impose upon my everyday living,” said Portia Bradley, a junior accounting major.
For Bradley, it took a while for it to feel real. She stated how she “didn't believe it at first,” and that it “was very scary to realize.”
Other students said something similar, that at first it didn’t seem like a big deal or even real. “I didn't really know about it until last semester,” said Addison Bradley, a senior marketing major. “The only person I talked to talked about it like it was no big deal.”
How much it affects students day-to-day kind of depends on their lifestyle. “I don’t really use much water generally,” said Bennett Carson, a junior music performance major. “I take a shower as short as possible. I don’t really cook much, so that’s not really an issue for me.”
For some, though, it’s more about things they can’t control. A few students reported their apartments' water being shut off during the day, which is inconvenient even when they aren’t home. Others have noticed small changes. Addison stated that she tends to have to run her dishwasher a few times to get her dishes clean, placing the blame on low water pressure.
Beyond daily routines, the water crisis is also affecting campus traditions that have been part of student life for years. One of those traditions is the Islander Ring Wish, where students receiving their class ring toss a clay sand dollar into a fountain as a symbol of their connection to the island. The fountain is typically turned on for the ceremony, but with ongoing conservation efforts, moments like these are becoming less certain.
Another long-standing tradition involves the statue of Hector P. Garcia, where students try to touch the statue without getting splashed by the surrounding fountain for good luck before finals. In recent semesters, however, the fountain has remained off. While it was initially attributed to maintenance, some students now believe it may be tied to ongoing drought conditions.
While experiences differ, one point of agreement emerged across interviews: many students believe Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi has responded more effectively than the city itself.
“[The University] seems to be doing a lot more maintenance… fixing the pipes, the sink sensors, and even the toilets,” said Carson.
In an official statement, the university said, “The health, safety, and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff remain our highest priority, and we want our campus community to know that we are actively engaged in addressing this challenge.” The university also highlighted ongoing conservation efforts, including reducing water usage and upgrading campus facilities.
For students who have lived in Corpus Christi their whole lives, the issue feels more serious. Kyle Lawley, a junior music education major and lifelong resident, was very direct. When asked if concerns were being heard, he said, “University, sure. City officials? Absolutely not.”
That frustration isn’t just about communication, but also about how slowly things seem to be moving. Carson stated how “it seems to be stuck in bureaucratic limbo” and that the city “cannot do anything.”
Lawley also talked about bigger issues behind the crisis, like the oil industry using large amounts of water. “You can’t get rid of the industry… that’s how people have jobs,” he said. “But it’s also the reason we don’t have any water.”
Other students said they just want clearer information about what’s going on. “I would like to see more open communication,” Carson said. “This is going to be a much more expensive issue than the city of Corpus Christi can handle.”
Some also think the university could do a better job of informing students. Addison thought that the University had not notified the students well enough. “Yeah, we can do our own research, but they haven't really told us if changes will happen,” she said.
Lawley agreed, especially when it comes to future students. “It’s absolutely being hidden from them,” he said.
At the same time, not everyone feels that way. “I think the students here are being informed… the University is at least doing its due diligence,” Carson said.
Beyond the day-to-day inconveniences, a lot of students said the crisis is making them think differently about the future of Corpus Christi. “We’re about to be the first major city in the U.S. to straight up run out of water… You know how embarrassing that is?” Lawley said. He added that it could affect whether people want to stay. “This is making it hard for anyone to want to live here,” he said. He continued saying who wants to move to the city that’s known to be out of water.
As the situation continues, students at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi are trying to adjust while also dealing with uncertainty. Whether it’s using less water or paying closer attention to updates, many say the issue can no longer be ignored.
University officials say they will continue to monitor the situation and communicate with students as conditions evolve, while city and state leaders work toward long-term solutions. Students can find updates through official university communications, including the Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi website.
