Corpus Christi voters approve industrial water surcharge amendment

Corpus Christi voters approved Proposition B in the Nov. 3 election, the City of Corpus Christi announced Nov. 5. The charter amendment provides for ending the existing industrial-water drought surcharge exemption program and establishing mandatory surcharges for qualifying large users during specified drought conditions.

KEDT’s election-night tally listed 56,545 votes for the measure, or 68.49%, and 26,009 against, or 31.51%. Those are election-night returns, not certified totals. City Council is scheduled to canvass the election on Nov. 17.

The existing fee continues during the transition i

The change is not immediate. The city says the current program and participating users’ exemption will continue for five years. It plans to begin the required notification process within 30 days of voter approval. The city’s voter-information page says termination must take effect no later than the end of the five-year notice period.

Under the current program, participating large-volume industrial customers pay $0.31 per 1,000 gallons year-round, including when no drought stage is declared. The city says those participants have exemptions during specified drought conditions. The amendment instead provides for mandatory surcharges on qualifying water use above specified limits during Drought Stages 2 and 3 and Water Emergency conditions. It does not provide for those surcharges during Stage 1 or when no drought stage is declared.

The distinction is between a year-round fee under the existing program and surcharges tied to particular drought conditions under the future framework. The city’s voter-information page projects that the current program will generate about $6 million in fiscal year 2026. The city says it will assess the financial effects of ending the program, along with legal, contractual and operational steps.

Supporters and critics cited different risks i

Texas Public Radio reported that an industry advocate warned the amendment could raise concerns about Corpus Christi’s message to businesses considering investment, expansion or job creation. Supporters, including petition-campaign advocates and a city council member, framed the vote as a response to industrial interests and residents’ concerns about water. The city’s voter-information page also flags possible legal and regulatory challenges involving existing water-service agreements and public-utility regulation.