The combined capacity of Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon has fallen below 40 percent. The lack of rain and dropping lake levels have forced Corpus Christi into Stage 1 water restrictions.
According to the 2018 Drought Contingency Plan approved by City Council in January 2018, the following Stage 1 – Mild Water Shortage Watch mandatory measures are now in effect:
- Residents can use their irrigation system once a week, on the day of their choice, before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
- Hand watering is allowed on any day using a shut off nozzle
- Foundations can be watered once a week with a hose or drip irrigation
Steve Ramos, Water Resource Manager for the city, says, "We’re looking for a reduction of ten percent with our residential use."
During this stage, commercial car washes and landscape nurseries are not affected.
The city is encouraging residents to use the following water wise conservation measures:
- Avoid water run-off on streets and sidewalks;
- Check for water leaks around your home;
- When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
For more water conservation tips visit: http://www.cctexas.com/conservation.
Stage 1 Mild Water Shortage Watch can be terminated when the combined capacity of Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon is over 50 percent. As Ramos explains, "The worst thing we can do is go below then go above for a day, then go back and so there’s a miscommunication out in the area. And we also want our water supply to go up because we need to protect it for the next coming months."
To report water violations, visit the City’s website at www.cctexas.com and click on the “report” tab or contact the Water Hotline at (361) 826-1600
