Corpus Christi voters will decide on a proposal to increase water fees for industrial facilities during droughts. The City Council has ordered a public referendum on a citizen-led petition that would sharply increase the price of water for industrial facilities during drought.

Background

The proposal is expected to face a litany of legal challenges before November’s election. It would add millions of dollars in fees to the region’s largest water users, including ExxonMobil, Occidental Chemical and Valero, the next time reservoir levels are below 30 percent full.

Community and environmental groups gathered nearly 13,000 signatures of registered voters to get their proposal on the ballot. The 6-2 vote to call a special election on the referendum followed years of growing tensions between the public in Corpus Christi and the industrial giants that consume enormous amounts of water.

Proposal Details

The Fair Water Amendment would implement a 70 percent water rate increase for Corpus Christi’s largest industrial water users when reservoirs dip below 30 percent capacity. It would implement an increase of 140 percent when reservoirs dip below 20 percent, and a 280 percent increase if the city declares a water emergency.

Even advocates for the proposal expect to face lawsuits from industry groups in coming months. Several parts of the proposed amendment will be easy to challenge, said Corpus Christi City Manager Peter Zanoni.

Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.