As South Texas faces a severe drought, Corpus Christi leaders are considering a controversial option: a third groundwater well field in Nueces County. City officials say it may be necessary to prevent water curtailment. Rural residents, however, question transparency and fear long-term impacts on private wells.
Why a Third Well Field Is Under Review
This growing sense of urgency is closely tied to projections showing the potential loss of thousands of acre-feet of water from Lake Texana, one of the city’s key external supplies. As a result, City Manager Peter Zanoni said early evaluations indicate the proposed well field could produce between 12 and 24 million gallons per day.
Specifically, the prospective site spans roughly 2,000 acres near the city’s existing Western Well Field. According to Zanoni, the proposal originated in late December from a private Nueces County landowner, not the city itself. Even so, for many rural residents, the idea contradicts earlier assurances that no additional groundwater pumping would occur beyond the first two well fields.
Drought Conditions Push Water Supply to the Brink
Corpus Christi has faced
Stage 3 drought restrictions for over a year. In mid-January, officials confirmed the combined reservoir capacity of Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon dropped to just 10 percent, a record low.
As lake levels fall, the city has relied more heavily on eastern supplies, including water from the Lower Colorado River and Lake Texana, transported through the Mary Rhodes Pipeline. Corpus Christi currently holds a take-or-pay contract for approximately 31,400 acre-feet of water per year from Lake Texana, all of which was used in 2025.
Projections show Lake Texana could drop to 50 percent by April, triggering a 10 percent allocation cut. Nick Winkelmann noted that these projections assume no rainfall, though the watershed historically receives rainfall in early spring.
Groundwater as a Short-Term Safety Net
Groundwater has become a critical part of the city’s drought response. The Eastern Well Field near the Nueces River produces up to 10 million gallons daily, while the Western site could yield 17 million gallons per day with permits.
Beyond Nueces County, the city is pursuing the $169 million Evangeline groundwater project in San Patricio County. However, even with these expanded efforts, officials caution that these sources may only delay, not eliminate, the risk of curtailment.
What a Water Emergency Could Mean
Looking ahead, projections indicate Corpus Christi could enter a Level 1 Water Emergency as early as November. That designation places the city within 180 days of demand surpassing available supply, triggering mandatory water-use reductions. Officials say avoiding that scenario depends on precise timelines, full well production, and favorable permitting outcomes.
Rural Pushback and Regulatory Concerns
Opposition from rural landowners has grown louder as plans move forward. Many rely only on private wells and worry about drawdowns, water quality, and aquifer damage. Kelly Harlan, who advocates for the Nueces Groundwater Conservation District, said residents feel misled by changing city statements.
Currently, Nueces County does not have its own GCD. Instead, critics argue city self-regulates by placing well fields under Corpus Christi ASR District. Supporters of a new Nueces GCD argue that independent oversight is essential to protect rural water users.
Balancing Trust, Supply, and Responsibility
City leaders recognize that these circumstances have contributed to a trust gap. Zanoni said earlier commitments against further drilling were made when rainfall prospects and Lake Texana levels looked more favorable. With conditions worsening, he argues the city must prioritize its responsibility to supply water to the region.
Several council members echoed the need for balance as the debate continues, emphasizing that groundwater is not a permanent solution. Ongoing negotiations, regulatory rulings, and public hearings will likely determine whether the proposed third well field proceeds.
As drought intensifies, Corpus Christi’s water strategy underscores Texas cities’ struggle to secure supply while maintaining community trust.
