ALICE (Kiii News) -
The City of Alice could run out of water unless we get some significant rainfall in the next few months, and that would mean drastic changes for residents there.
City officials are concerned that their heading to that exact scenario; and if the city runs out of water, it would make life miserable for the people who live in Alice.
The city is already under mandatory water restrictions. Residents there are only allowed to water their lawns during very specific times in the morning and at night, on a couple of designated days a week; but landscapers and residents said, for people who have big lawns, that is simply not enough water to keep the grass green.
City officials said if they don't get between at least 10-12 inches of rainfall in the next three months, the city could run out of water, in which case they would tell residents how much water they're allowed to use.
"We start telling you you're going to use only a thousand gallons a month versus twelve-thousand, or whatever, so hopefully we don't get to that point," said Victor Ortiz, assistant director of Public Works Utilities, "but it looks like we're in that route, and then it's no watering, period. No swimming pools, no jacuzzi, no nothing."
One of the challenges Alice faces is that it only has one water-supply source, Lake Corpus Christi in Mathis. The City of Corpus Christi, on the other hand, which only has voluntary water restrictions right now, has a secondary water source, Lake Texana.
Another challenge for Alice is that the Eagle Ford Shale Oil and Gas boom has increased the demand for water. The Eagle Ford has hotels and motels in Alice packed full, keeping demand at a constant.
The last time it got this drastic in Alice was in the 80s, when they made city officials patrol the streets night and day, making sure nobody was watering illegally. If they catch you, they could fine you or pull your meter.
