Corpus Christi Residents Cut Water Usage, but Industrial Plants Use More

City manager explains lack of mandates or baseline data for industrial facilities

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:18pm

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a polished metal industrial valve, a glass beaker filled with clear liquid, and a stack of paperwork, conceptually representing the complex relationship between industrial water usage and municipal water management.An industrial facility's water usage data and equipment symbolize the challenges Corpus Christi faces in balancing residential and commercial water conservation.Corpus Christi Today

Residents in Corpus Christi, Texas have answered the city's call to reduce water usage, but industrial facilities in the area have not cut back and actually used more water last year compared to the previous year. The city manager cited the need for industrial plants to maintain operations for processing fuels, plastics, and steel, as well as safety concerns that prevent the city from forcibly reducing water usage at these facilities. The city also lacks baseline data on average water consumption for the industrial sector, making it difficult to implement mandatory cuts during water emergencies.

Why it matters

This story highlights the challenges cities face in balancing residential water conservation efforts with the needs of the industrial sector, especially when there is a lack of data and regulatory oversight. It raises questions about equitable water management policies and the role of industry in addressing water scarcity issues.

The details

According to Corpus Christi City Manager Peter Zanoni, the city has not ordered industrial facilities to reduce their water usage, as these plants require water for critical manufacturing processes like producing fuels, plastics, and steel. Zanoni stated that shutting off water to these plants could pose safety risks, as they handle highly explosive materials. The city also lacks baseline data on average water consumption for the industrial sector, making it difficult to implement mandatory cuts during water emergencies.

  • Residents have cut their water usage in response to the city's request.
  • Industrial facilities used more water last year compared to the previous year.

The players

Peter Zanoni

The city manager of Corpus Christi, Texas who explained the city's approach to water management and the challenges in regulating industrial water usage.

Corpus Christi

A city in Texas that has asked residents to cut water usage, but has not mandated reductions for industrial facilities due to safety concerns and lack of baseline data.

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What they’re saying

“They use it for processing of fuels, of plastics, of steel. And there's been no mandate from the city to mandatorily cut back reduction in water, and so they're continuing with their processes of making petrochemical products and fuels, and they really can't reduce consumption or they'll have to turn off operations.”

— Peter Zanoni, City Manager

“We have to be real careful because you're dealing with plants that are handling highly explosive materials, and if we're just out there in the middle of the night turning valves and the plant blows up, that's not a good scenario for anybody.”

— Peter Zanoni, City Manager

“We are also working with them to determine their baseline water consumption. Their businesses are cyclical through the year. They have ups and downs depending on the season and depending if they're taken offline for what they call turnarounds, and so we're working with them to develop what would be considered a seasonal baseline.”

— Peter Zanoni, City Manager

What’s next

The city of Corpus Christi plans to continue working with industrial facilities to establish baseline water usage data, which will help inform any future mandatory water reduction policies during times of scarcity.

The takeaway

This story highlights the complex challenge cities face in balancing residential water conservation efforts with the needs of the industrial sector, especially when there is a lack of data and regulatory oversight. It underscores the importance of developing comprehensive water management policies that account for the diverse water usage patterns across all sectors of a community.