Industrial Water Charge to Appear on Corpus Christi’s November Ballot

Reservoir levels have improved, but the water conflict in Corpus Christi persists. The City Council has approved a public referendum on a petition to significantly raise water prices for industrial facilities during droughts.

The plan, which targets large water users like ExxonMobil, Occidental Chemical, and Valero, could face legal challenges before the November election. This measure, triggered when reservoir capacity drops below 30%, would impose millions in fees. The reservoirs were below this level for 29 months until August.

Activists obtained nearly 13,000 signatures to place the measure on the ballot. “This was a lot of signatures,” said Mayor Pro-tem Kaylynn Paxson. “It’s not something that happens every day.”

The 6-2 vote for the special election followed years of friction between the public and industrial water consumers. Reservoirs fell from 30% full in March 2024 to under 8% by May, prompting calls to limit water usage at industrial sites.

Volunteers from For the Greater Good and paid canvassers from Texas Campaign for the Environment gathered signatures, with residents worried about the city’s water scarcity. “It gave me hope in our democracy,” said Miriam Guerra-Rachidy of For the Greater Good.

Recent rains have improved the situation, raising reservoir levels to 42%. The Fair Water Amendment proposes a 70% water rate hike for large industrial users when capacity drops below 30%, 140% below 20%, and 280% during a water emergency.

Legal challenges are anticipated from industry groups. “It’s gonna be challenged, no doubt,” said Sylvia Campos of the City Council. Corpus Christi City Manager Peter Zanoni highlighted issues, noting the proposal applies to buyers both directly from the city and via intermediaries.

The proposal could face scrutiny from the Public Utility Commission, where current water rates are already contested, with requests for an $80 million refund from industrial users.

The City Council ignored legal advice to block the referendum under state laws against climate-related amendments. Interim City Attorney Buck Brice noted that defining the amendment as climate-related would require state legislature approval.

Council member Gil Hernandez, opposing the surcharge, argued the amendment doesn’t qualify as climate-related. “It’s too much of a stretch,” he stated.

For Isabel Araiza of For the Greater Good, the vote marks the peak of a long campaign sparked by this year’s water crisis. Araiza plans an educational campaign leading up to the election. “Civic engagement is flourishing,” she said.

Original Story at insideclimatenews.org