Mayor Paulette Guajardo convened an emergency City Council session in May, warning that Corpus Christi could run out of water within months. The 300,000‑plus coastal city has seen its industrial port and power‑plant demand surge while a five‑year drought has driven reservoir levels below 10 percent. State officials, including Gov. Greg Abbott, have hinted at a takeover if the crisis deepens.

Half of the city’s daily water goes to heavy users such as Citgo and Valero, which have only modestly reduced consumption by recycling and cutting vehicle washes. Industry leaders warn that shutting down plants would jeopardize hundreds of billions of dollars in regional investment. The council is now weighing a $1 billion desalination proposal, though opponents cite cost, timing and environmental concerns in the Hillcrest neighborhood.

With reservoirs at historic lows, the city has ordered new wells, urged residents to harvest rainwater and faces a possible Level 1 water emergency by September, which could trigger up to 25 percent cuts for some customers. The council’s June vote on the desalination plant will determine whether the region can sustain its industrial base or confront costly water rationing.