During drought, large industrial water users are exempt from surcharges and conservation rules that apply to residents and small businesses.
The Fair Water Amendment is a proposed charter amendment that would apply the same drought-stage obligations to the largest industrial users. 10,000+ signatures qualify it for the November 2026 ballot.
One set of rules for residents and small businesses. Another for large industrial users.
Residents and small businesses must meet conservation targets and pay drought surcharges when declared. Large industrial users—who use more water than all other customers combined—can pay an exemption fee instead and avoid those same obligations.
What the Fair Water Amendment does
If approved by voters, the amendment would apply the same drought-stage surcharges and conservation rules to large industrial users. No rate increase for residents or small businesses.
In plain language:
- 1End exclusive exemption programs that allow large industrial water users to avoid drought surcharges and conservation requirements.
- 2Require large industrial users to pay drought surcharges once the current exemption program lawfully terminates.
- 3Set minimum industrial drought surcharge rates based on rates already adopted by the City Council in 2025.
- 4Require large industrial users to follow all drought-stage conservation, allocation, and curtailment rules in the City's Drought Contingency Plan and City Code.
- 5Apply the same standards to wholesale water customers, ensuring fairness across the entire system.
Reliable water supply is essential to public health and long-term economic growth.
When one class of water user avoids drought costs and conservation rules, the rest of the system—households, schools, hospitals, small businesses—bears more of the burden. The amendment keeps the City Council flexible while closing that gap.
The decision belongs to the voters.
Sign the petition to place the Fair Water Amendment on the November 2026 ballot. We respond quickly to help you sign or host a petition event.
- 1Sign the petition to qualify the amendment for the November 2026 ballot.
- 2Invite us to your workplace, school, or neighborhood—we'll help gather signatures.
- 3Share campaign updates with friends who care about water security in Corpus Christi.