Corpus Christi Faces Severe Water Crisis, Threatening US Gasoline Supply

Prolonged drought depletes city's water reserves, putting refineries and petrochemical plants at risk of shutdowns

Apr. 13, 2026 at 8:10am

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A geometric composition of overlapping triangles and circles in shades of blue, representing the depletion of water resources and the threat to the industrial economy.A depleted water supply in Corpus Christi jeopardizes the region's critical role in the nation's energy infrastructure.Corpus Christi Today

Corpus Christi, Texas, a critical energy hub producing 5% of the U.S. gasoline supply, is facing a severe water crisis that threatens to disrupt refineries, petrochemical plants, and international oil exports. A prolonged drought spanning most of the last seven years has depleted water reserves to their lowest points on record, leaving city officials scrambling to avoid a total supply failure.

Why it matters

The water shortage poses a significant risk to the Port of Corpus Christi, the top U.S. port for crude oil exports. If the city's water supply fails, it could cut off the flow of jet fuel to Texas airports and impact energy markets internationally. The crisis also highlights the need for better long-term water infrastructure planning in fast-growing industrial hubs.

The details

City Manager Peter Zanoni stated that the city failed to maintain water supply and infrastructure adequately over several decades, coinciding with a period where the city increased water sales to large industrial customers. A proposed seawater desalination plant recommended in 2016 as a drought-proof solution stalled due to environmental concerns and high estimated costs. While a pipeline extension to the Colorado River reached full capacity in 2025, the city's reservoirs never fully recharged following a previous drought in the early 2010s, leaving the system vulnerable.

  • The city is currently operating under Stage 3 of its drought plan, which mandates pauses on many outdoor water uses.
  • A formal water emergency could be declared as early as May 2026 or as late as October 2026 if the city is within 180 days of the water supply being unable to meet demand.
  • The Evangeline Groundwater Project, a pipeline and well initiative, is currently awaiting state approval, with hopes that water will flow by November 2026.

The players

Peter Zanoni

Corpus Christi City Manager who has held the position since 2019.

Sean Strawbridge

Former CEO of the Port of Corpus Christi Authority.

Isabel Araiza

Co-founder of a grassroots water group.

Bob Paulison

Executive director of the Coastal Bend Industry Association.

Don Roach

Former assistant general manager of the San Patricio Municipal Water District.

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What they’re saying

“When you cut the cooling water off to most of these industries, they just have to shut down. There's no other way around it.”

— Don Roach, Former assistant general manager of the San Patricio Municipal Water District

“Companies have recycled water for cooling and stopped landscaping to assist conservation efforts.”

— Bob Paulison, Executive director of the Coastal Bend Industry Association

“This removes the incentive for industry to conserve water.”

— Isabel Araiza, Co-founder of a grassroots water group

What’s next

The Evangeline Groundwater Project, a pipeline and well initiative, is currently awaiting state approval, with hopes that water will flow by November 2026. If a water emergency is declared, the city would implement mandatory reductions in water use across both residential and industrial sectors.

The takeaway

The Corpus Christi water crisis highlights the need for better long-term planning and investment in drought-resistant water infrastructure to support the growth of energy-intensive industries in vulnerable regions. The potential for forced industrial shutdowns raises concerns about the economic stability of the region and the broader impact on the national gasoline supply.