Water Restrictions

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​PUBLIC NOTICE
DROUGHT RESTRICTIONS ARE NOW IN EFFECT


The City of Corpus Christi has implemented the Stage 3 Drought Contingency Plan due to low lake levels. Therefore, Rincon Water Supply Corporation must implement our Stage 3 Drought Contingency Plan. 

This is considered to be an Urgent Water Shortage condition, as such the goal is to reduce daily water usage by 15% or greater. Therefore, the following restrictions shall be instituted immediately.
  • Irrigation of turf grass by any means shall be prohibited at all times.
  • Drip irrigation for foundations and landscaped beds is allowed every other week on the designated watering schedule (see below). The watering schedule will be determined by Rincon WSC. Customers will be made aware of their designated watering day.
  • 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 shut off nozzle), a faucet filled bucket, or a watering can of five (5) gallons or less. ​
  • Exceptions for Stage 3 restrictions may be permitted up to 30 days, upon review and approval by Rincon WSC, for new plantings. In addition, this restriction does not apply to customers irrigating with well water or an aerobic septic system. Customers irrigating with well water or an aerobic septic system shall still apply for an exemption from Rincon WSC. An exemption certificate should be prominently posted on the premises within two (2) feet of the street number located on the premises.
  • Use of water to wash a motor vehicle, no 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.
  • The filling, draining, and refilling of an existing swimming pool, jacuzzi, and hot tubs is prohibited except to maintain structural integrity.
  • A person or entity who owns, leases, or manages an outdoor swimming pool (including publicly-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.
  • Operators of water parks must seek approval from Rincon WSC prior to the filling, refilling, or adding water to water parks.
  • All fountains shall only operate to circulate water in order to maintain equipment.
  • Hotels, motels, and other lodgings must offer and clearly notify guests of a "linen/towel change on request only" program.

Stages 1-4 of Water Conservation

The regional water conservation plan sets out four stages of enforcement depending on drought conditions:

Stage 1 – Mild Water Shortage Watch: Initiated when combined lake levels of the Choke Canyon Reservoir and Lake Corpus Christi system (CCR/LCC system) fall below 40% of capacity.  Stage 1 restrictions are not lifted until combined lake levels return to at least 50%.  The region has been in Stage 1 since July 2022.

Stage 2 -   Moderate Shortage Condition: Additional restrictions are initiated when lake levels fall below 30% and remain in effect until combined lake return to at least 40%.

Stage 3 – Critical Water Shortage Condition: Stage 3 is initiated if combined water storage levels decline below 20%.  Additional restrictions on certain non-essential water uses will remain in effect until levels increase to above 30%.  Stage 2 then becomes operative.

Emergency – Emergency Water Shortage Condition: Emergency Stage could be declared by the SPMWD District Manager in the event of an extreme water system production or transmission system failure.

Each city government or water provider may impose additional restrictions and is responsible for notifying customers and for enforcement. Various enforcement mechanisms can be used including the potential for disconnecting water service for repeat offenders.

Water District customers include the cities of Odem, Taft, Gregory, Portland, Ingleside, Ingleside-on-the-Bay, Aransas Pass, Rockport and Port Aransas, Rincon Water Supply Corp., Seaboard Water Supply Corp., Nueces County WCID #4 (Port Aransas) and several industrial customers.