Updates to Drought Contingency Plan
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (News Release) – The Corpus Christi City Council approved proposed updates to the City’s Drought Contingency Plan (DCP). This is the first of two readings of the measure, with a second vote scheduled for February 11. If approved, the DCP updates would take effect on February 12.
The updates result from community feedback, Council recommendations, extensive research into other cities’ drought plans, and internal and external reviews of the City’s plan. They align with the City’s responsibility for maintaining a reliable water supply.
The DCP is a business and operation plan to protect the City’s water supply. The state-mandated responsive plan addresses temporary drought conditions or water emergencies. State guidelines require the plan to be reviewed every five years.
Here are some of the DCP updates approved by the City Council:
Water Shortage Watch
The addition of a voluntary stage. A Water Shortage Watch would be initiated when the combined capacity of Lake Corpus Christi and the Choke Canyon Reservoir falls below 50%. Water customers are requested to voluntarily limit the irrigation of landscaped areas to once per week.
Stage 1 Water Restrictions
No changes to watering restrictions currently in the existing plan.
Stage 2 Water Restrictions
Irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems shall be limited to once every other week on their Stage 2 watering date.
Irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted on any day if it is by means of a hand-held hose (with positive shutoff nozzle), a faucet-filled bucket or watering can of five (5) gallons or less, or a drip irrigation system with a positive shutoff device.
The use of water to wash a motor vehicle, not occurring on the premises of a commercial car wash, is allowed on the designated watering day.
A person or entity who owns, leases or manages an outdoor swimming pool (including City-owned pools) shall begin preparation for the Stage 3 requirement to have approximately 100% of the pool surface area covered when not in use.
Stage 3 Water Restrictions
Irrigation of landscaped areas shall be prohibited at all times.
Drip irrigation for foundations and landscaped beds is allowed every other week on the designated watering schedule. The Stage 2 watering schedule will be determined by the City Manager or designee.
Watering of trees, vegetable beds, shrubs, and potted plants is permitted on any day if it is by means of a handheld hose (with a positive shutoff nozzle), a faucet-filled bucket, or a watering can of five (5) gallons or less.
The filling of swimming pools, wading pools, and jacuzzi-type pools is allowed to maintain structural integrity. A person or entity who owns, leases, or manages an outdoor swimming pool (including City-owned pools) shall have approximately 100% of the pool surface area covered when not in use.
A request for an exemption or variance from this provision for pools that have a water-saving feature may be submitted by filling out the City-provided application for exemption/variance.
Operators of water parks must seek approval of the Chief Operating Officer for Corpus Christi Water or designee prior to filling, refilling, or adding water to water parks.
The use of water to wash a motor vehicle, not occurring on the premises of a commercial car wash station, is allowed by hand, with a five (5) gallon bucket or less on the designated watering day.
Water Emergency
Stage 4 will now be called Water Emergency.
During Stages 2, 3, and a Water Emergency, the following surcharges will be added to a customer's bill following City Council approval.
For irrigation accounts, a surcharge of (Stage 2) $1.00, (Stage 3) $2.00, (Water Emergency) $4.00 per 1,000 gallons
For residential accounts, a surcharge of (Stage 2) $1.00, (Stage 3) $2.00, (Water Emergency) $4.00 per 1,000 gallons over 7,000 gallons
For commercial accounts, a surcharge of (Stage 2) $1.00, (Stage 3) $2.00, (Water Emergency) $4.00 per 1,000 gallons over 55,000 gallons
For non-exempt large volume accounts, a surcharge of (Stage 2) $1.00, (Stage 3) $2.00, (Water Emergency) $4.00 per 1,000 gallons over 12,842,000 gallons
Other – Raw Wholesale, OCL Wholesale, OCL Network, and Municipal accounts – a surcharge of (Stage 2) $1.00, (Stage 3) $2.00, (Water Emergency) $4.00 per1,000 gallons for volumes over 25% of the last 12-months average usage for the 12-month billing prior to the implementation of Stage.
Industrial customers are subject to drought restrictions like all other water customers. Eligible businesses may participate in a non-mandatory Drought Surcharge Exemption Fee program established on October 1, 2018. Under this program, eligible businesses can voluntarily pay a year-round fee to be exempt from applicable drought surcharges outlined in City Code section 55-154. These fees are dedicated specifically to developing drought-resistant water supplies. The funds can only be used for capital costs related to developing or acquiring additional drought-proof water supplies. To date, the City has collected $21.5M through this program.
To learn more about the Drought Contingency Plan updates, visit stage3.cctexas.com.