Water Myths vs. Facts
MYTH: The City [has / is going to] completely run out of water.
FACT: The City will not completely run out of water, but it is facing a serious drought-induced shortage. As of May 19, 2026, two of the City’s primary reservoirs are extremely low. The combined level of Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon Reservoirs is published and updated daily on the City’s home page.
MYTH: The City’s effort to drill more wells is taking water from rural residents and negatively impacting small communities.
FACT: The City is undertaking the drilling of additional groundwater wells along the Nueces River and in Nueces County, where it has secured all the appropriate permissions and water rights via land purchases and/or other agreements. Residential wells in surrounding communities are typically drilled at depths of 200 to 250 feet, while the City’s wells are drilled between 800 and 850 feet into the Gulf Coast Aquifer. These depth ranges are separated by distinct smaller aquifers withing the Gulf Coast Aquifer System, meaning the City’s deep wells are drawing from an entirely different zone than residential wells. The water extracted from deep wells is pumped into the municipal water supply and delivered to the O.N. Stevens Water Treatment Plant via the Nueces River. To further ensure that neighboring residents are not impacted, the City’s wellfield monitoring program maintains multiple monitoring wells in both the eastern and western wellfields to continuously track water-level changes. Additionally, CCW has developed a Well Assistance Program to help well owners with periodic water-level monitoring.
MYTH: Corpus Christi’s water is unsafe to drink because of the drought.
FACT: The current crisis is a supply issue, not a water quality issue. The tap water remains safe according to federal and state standards. However, the total volume of available water is critically low. Despite the ongoing quantity issues, the City also maintains its "Superior Rated Public Water System" status as designated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
MYTH: There is no plan to fix the water shortage.
FACT: There are a number of different efforts currently underway to secure more water. The City currently has close to $1 billion committed to various projects addressing the historic water shortage. This includes investment in (or agreement with) three desalination facilities, the Evangeline Groundwater Program, and the drilling of additional groundwater wells. For more information about these projects, visit the City’s Securing Water, Together website.
MYTH: Industrial water use in Corpus Christi is unregulated and is the main cause of the water shortage.
FACT: It is true that industrial customers are the primary users in the region. However, industries pay for their water, keeping costs lower for residents and other water users. In a potential Level 1 Emergency, mandatory conservation applies to all water customers, including industrial users. The City is currently facing an unprecedented situation brought about by a five-year drought and conditions the region has not seen before.
MYTH: The City will completely run out of water by the end of 2026.
FACT: While reservoir levels are critically low, the City has actively implemented drought restrictions, including limiting lawn watering reductions. The City is currently in Drought Status: Stage 3. The likelihood of completely running out of water is minimal, given the City’s ongoing monitoring and modeling, especially with multiple water sources and new projects coming online. Additional mitigation and conservation measures are being discussed in the event Level 1 Water Emergency needs to be enacted.
MYTH: The City has done nothing to address the issue.
FACT: Over the past six years, the City has made major infrastructure improvements that support the water supply. In addition, the City Council has approved and funded close to $1 billion in projects to create new water sources. This includes expanding the Mary Rhodes Pipeline, drilling new wells, and repurposing reclaimed water for industry. In addition, multiple desalination plants are under consideration.
MYTH: If a Level 1 Emergency is enacted, the City will shut off water access to residents and/or require mandatory evacuations.
FACT: Even though a Level 1 Emergency would be something the City has never had to do before, City leaders have NOT discussed shutting down the water system or requiring residents to evacuate. Those actions are not part of the City’s response plans, and there has been no discussion about adding them.
MYTH: The City is prioritizing industry over residents when it comes to the ongoing water shortage.
FACT: Everyone is being equally impacted by the ongoing (and unprecedented) drought conditions. However, as conditions have continued to worsen, City officials and City leaders have taken a “resident-first” approach to implementing and/or considering further restrictions. Residents are already doing a good job when it comes to cutting back on usage and implementing water conservation measures. City amenities – like pools and splash pads – will continue to be operational during hot summer months for the benefit of residents and families. But, if conditions do not improve and a Level 1 Emergency needs to be enacted later this year, ALL users (residential and industrial) will be faced with potential use cutbacks of up to 25% to ensure water is still available for everyone.
