Corpus Christi, Texas, a critical hub for U.S. gasoline production, is facing a severe drought that threatens to disrupt its refineries and petrochemical plants. The region, which produces 5% of the nation's gasoline supply, has seen water reserves plummet after years of insufficient rainfall. City Manager Peter Zanoni warned that without significant rain or new water sources, residents could face mandatory cutbacks, and industries might struggle to maintain operations.
Decades of Neglect
According to Zanoni, the city's water infrastructure has not kept pace with demand, leaving Corpus Christi ill-prepared for this prolonged drought. "It's decades in the making," he said. Reservoirs are at historic lows, and efforts to secure alternative water sources, such as a desalination plant, have stalled due to high costs and environmental concerns.
"We are actively praying for a hurricane," former city council member David Loeb said, highlighting the severity of the crisis.
Impact on Industry
Corpus Christi's oil and gas industry consumes up to 60% of the city's water. While residents face fines and sharply rising water bills, industrial customers can pay a permanent surcharge to avoid drought-related fees. Isabel Araiza, co-founder of a grassroots water advocacy group, criticized the system, arguing it removes incentives for industrial water conservation. The city maintains that industry does not receive a pass on conservation efforts and notes that surcharges have raised $6 million annually.
As summer approaches with no relief in sight, officials are scrambling to tap groundwater reserves to avert an emergency.