Corpus Christi first went under Stage 2 drought notice over two years ago before progressing to Stage 3, where it currently sits as of this writing. When it comes to swimming pools, a Stage 3 drought states that they can be maintained by residents, but they must remain covered whenever they’re not in use. Despite this, Caller Times reports that the city is issuing permits for pool construction at roughly the same rate as it did between 2024 and 2025.
Around 250 permits were requested in 2024 and 231 in 2025, accounting to data analyzed from the Development Services’s public records. Between January and April 2025, 74 permits were issued. In 2026 for that same period, 88 were granted. It appears as though most of these planned pools are being constructed in several primary ZIP codes, including 78418, 78414, and 78415. These same ZIP codes also topped the list for 2024-2025 permit requests.
The primary reason why pool construction is proceeding as normal is because there aren’t any set rules against building them during droughts, or even water emergencies. The only restrictions in place pertain to water usage for these pools and are clearly outlined in the Drought Contingency Plan. In addition to covering the pool when it isn’t being used, there’s a ban on adding water, filling, or refilling pools unless residents must do so “to maintain structural integrity.”
Public pools and splash pads aren’t being affected either. In May, it was announced that city staff would be engaging in water-saving measures to keep these free services available during the hottest months of the year. Water will be recycled at splash pads and pools will be covered when they’re not open.
Home construction also won’t be impacted by the drought
Residents and builders alike have wondered whether the Stage 3 drought would affect whether construction permits would be issued for new houses, but city leaders said in March it wasn’t something to worry about. Some builders are taking precautions on their own though to ensure water-saving methods are used throughout the construction process.
One builder, Bart Braselton, said it’s fairly simple to do considering that new homes are often designed to use less water. “When you go in, it’s as much as 33% less water a new home uses than an existing home,” Braselton explained. Energy efficient appliances and plumbing fixtures aid in this goal. Plus, Braselton added, “We’re also working on ways to reuse water that the home produces, so water from your air conditioner, for instance, or from rainwater. And in fact in the summer we have a lot of dew created from the roof. It doesn’t necessarily need to rain to fill up a rain barrel.”
Michael Dice, who works in Development Services, said city officials are doing their part to ensure water preservation is maintained during new home construction projects. Dice said, “We meet with home builders regularly. We have a development task force. We also meet with the Coastal Bend Home Builders Association regularly at a builders liaison meeting. We’re always discussing ways to save water.”
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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