Corpus Christi braces for 25% water-use cut as drought tightens

With reservoirs at roughly 8.6% capacity amid a severe drought, Corpus Christi is briefing its city council on new models that could accelerate a Level 1 water emergency and require a 25% cut in usage, while officials pursue a diversified supply plan—groundwater, wastewater reuse and desalination—after last year’s desalination project was killed and ongoing permitting and funding hurdles persist.