The city of Corpus Christi’s aggressive strategy to secure its future water supply has hit a significant roadblock. A critical groundwater project intended to stave off a looming water emergency is now facing delays that could push back delivery of millions of gallons by several months.
On February 6, city officials expected the San Patricio County Groundwater District to approve final permits for the Evangeline groundwater project. However, City Manager Peter Zanoni confirmed on February 9 that the permits were not granted following a series of formal protests. This development threatens the city’s timeline to avoid a Level 1 water emergency, currently projected for this November.
The Evangeline Project: A Fight for Water Rights
The Evangeline project is a massive undertaking designed to pump up to 24 million gallons of groundwater per day. Located on 23,000 acres near Sinton, the project is essential to Corpus Christi’s drought-mitigation strategy.
While developers already hold a production permit, they lack the “drilling and transport” permits required to move forward. Without these, the city cannot finalize a $169 million contract for groundwater rights.
Why is Sinton Protesting?
The primary opposition comes from the city of Sinton. Sinton officials argue that the Evangeline aquifer is their sole municipal water source. Sinton City Manager John Hobson has voiced concerns that the project could degrade water quality and require costly new treatment facilities.
“You’re doing what’s right for y’all; we’re going to do what’s right for us,” Hobson told the Corpus Christi City Council previously. Other protesters include the St. Paul Water Supply Corp, local farmers, and concerned residents.
Understanding the Level 1 Water Emergency
If Corpus Christi fails to bolster its supply, it faces a Level 1 water emergency. This status is triggered when the city has only 180 days of water remaining to meet demand. If the city hits this threshold:
- Mandatory water curtailment (forced reductions) begins.
- Industrial and residential usage face strict limitations.
- Regional economic stability is put at risk.
City Manager Zanoni warned that Sinton’s actions are putting the entire region in a “riskier situation than we’ve ever seen ourselves in.”
Legal Hurdles and Regional Tension
The formal protests mean the project must now undergo a legal process to determine whether the opponents have “standing.” This preliminary hearing process is expected to take between 30 and 60 days, though legal experts suggest it could take much longer.
Corpus Christi officials claim they spent months conducting outreach to address Sinton’s concerns, including an offer to build an emergency water interconnect. However, Zanoni noted that communication eventually broke down. Hobson argues that Corpus Christi’s years of inaction on water security, not protests, caused the risk.
Seeking Solutions in Nueces County
With the Evangeline project stalled, Corpus Christi is pivoting to other sources. The city is looking toward Nueces County, where they are developing several well fields:
- The Eastern Well Field: Currently producing 10 million gallons per day.
- The Western Well Field: Planned to produce 17 million gallons per day, pending state permits.
- A Third Well Field: The City Council is considering a $28 million deal for an additional 2,400 acres to expand groundwater capacity.
Officials hope combined projects will delay November’s water emergency despite the Evangeline legal project standoff.
A Perfect Storm: Drought and Lake Levels
The delay comes at a precarious time. As of early February, the combined capacity of Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon Reservoir sits at a staggering 9.5%. Lake Texana water via the Mary Rhodes Pipeline faces a 10% cut this spring as levels drop. While the city remains optimistic about avoiding a total emergency, the margin for error is shrinking. City Council meets February 10 to discuss mitigation and mediation regarding contested Evangeline water permits.