CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) _ A South Texas city still struggling with drought has started enforcing tougher water-use restrictions.
Corpus Christi began enforcement Monday of Stage 2 conservation for all city water customers.
Sprinkler irrigation is limited to one day per week _ the same day as trash pickup. Violators will first receive a notice, and then can face fines of up to $500 per incident. Swimming pools can only be filled on a resident’s designated watering day.
Corpus Christi’s Stage 1 drought contingency applies when the city’s combined water storage sites drop below 50 percent capacity.
Stage 2 kicks in when the combined levels of Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon Reservoir slip below 40 percent. The Nueces River Authority reports the combined capacity Sunday was 38 percent.