Corpus Christi, Texas faces water crisis with one‑year supply

Corpus Christi, Texas – home to about 300,000 residents – is confronting a severe water shortage, with current reservoirs estimated to provide roughly one year of supply. The crisis stems from three main factors: a historic drought intensified by climate change, rapid expansion of industrial water use, and low reservoir levels. A petrochemical complex that began operating in 2022 consumes water for cooling at a rate comparable to the daily household demand of the entire city.

City officials have launched emergency measures, including deep groundwater wells delivering about 45 million litres per day and strict water‑use restrictions such as bans on garden irrigation and car washing that began in August 2024. A $6 billion seawater‑desalination plant capable of producing 378 million litres daily has been planned but remains stalled due to funding and permitting delays. Recent 2026 rains raised reservoir levels modestly, yet experts warn that without sustained inflow the city could face rotating water‑cutoffs or “black‑out” periods, threatening both residents and industrial operations.

Inside Climate News noted the situation is “enough for about a year – something that for any city would already be considered an emergency.” The story has drawn national attention as one of the first major U.S. cities projected to run out of water.