First US city could run out of water, warning for the world

Corpus Christi, a coastal city in Texas with over 3,00,000 residents, could become the first modern US city to run out of water as prolonged drought, rising industrial demand and delays to new water projects strain supplies.

Large petrochemical plants consume vast quantities of water, while a plastics chemical plant built in 2022 reportedly uses as much water each day for cooling as all the city’s residents combined. Plans for a seawater desalination plant have been delayed by funding constr­aints, regulatory hurdles and opposition. Climate change has further worsened the crisis, leaving key reservoirs at dangerously low levels.

Dylan Baddour of Inside Climate News said Corpus Christi has come closer to running out of water than almost any other US city. Although recent rainfall has provided temporary relief, officials continue exploring groundwater wells, wastewater recycling and desalination as long-term solutions. Experts say the crisis reflects a growing global challenge driven by climate change and rising demand.