Corpus Christi voters to decide if industry should pay sharply higher water fees during droughts

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In Corpus Christi, Texas, a significant shift is underway regarding water management and industrial consumption. After enduring a prolonged drought that left the region’s reservoirs alarmingly low, the City Council has responded to the growing concerns of residents by ordering a public referendum on a citizen-led petition. This proposal aims to increase water prices for industrial facilities during periods of drought.

The Fair Water Amendment, as it is known, is poised to face numerous legal challenges ahead of the November election. If approved, this amendment would impose substantial fees on major water consumers, including ExxonMobil, Occidental Chemical, and Valero, during times when reservoir levels fall below 30 percent capacity—a threshold that was alarmingly met for 29 consecutive months until early August.

Mayor Pro-tem Kaylynn Paxson expressed pride in the community’s engagement, noting the impressive collection of nearly 13,000 signatures by activists advocating for the amendment. “This was a lot of signatures,” she noted during a City Council meeting, highlighting the significance of the community’s involvement in local governance.

The Council’s 6-2 decision to call a special election reflects escalating tensions between Corpus Christi’s residents and industrial giants, who have historically consumed vast amounts of water. As reservoir levels plummeted from 30 percent in March 2024 to below 8 percent by May, public outcry reached a peak, prompting calls for stricter regulations on industrial water usage.

Activists organized the petition drive amid this water crisis, which they described as a pivotal moment that galvanized civic engagement. “Something that seemed impossible gave me hope in our democracy,” said Miriam Guerra-Rachidy, a member of For the Greater Good, during her comments to the City Council.

The proposed Fair Water Amendment seeks to implement a tiered increase in water rates for industrial users based on the capacity of the reservoirs. Specifically, it would raise rates by 70 percent when capacity dips below 30 percent, 140 percent below 20 percent, and a staggering 280 percent during a declared water emergency. Even proponents anticipate significant legal pushback from industry groups, which have historically resisted such measures.

“It’s gonna be challenged, no doubt,” remarked City Council member Sylvia Campos, who supports the amendment. “That’s the nature of the beast.”

Peter Zanoni, the City Manager, highlighted legal complexities, noting that the amendment’s provisions might be difficult to enforce. The proposal applies not only to direct industrial customers of the city but also to those who source their water through intermediaries, complicating regulatory efforts.

In a notable legal twist, the City Council opted to disregard the advice of its counsel, who cautioned that the amendment could be deemed related to climate change under state law, potentially barring it from appearing on the ballot without legislative approval. However, some council members argued against categorizing the amendment in this manner, citing its focus on local water management rather than broader climate issues.