Who Are the Largest Water Users in the Coastal Bend?

By Beatz Alvarado

The Corpus Christi Water Department is trying to block Chisme Collective from monitoring and documenting when new large volume water meters come online. 

When Chisme learned last year that industry was rapidly depleting the area’s primary freshwater reservoirs, we requested hard numbers from the City of Corpus Christi. 

Initially, the City tried charging us $5,998; with intervention by District 2 councilwoman Sylvia Campos, the price was negotiated down to $184.

We got the data, analyzed it and requested a meeting with the City to discuss gaps and questions that were identified. Our request was ignored. 

We continued to request batches of the newest water use data as months went on and the City complied with the lower negotiated price up until this year. 

Since May 2025, Chisme has paid a total of $259 for access to the water use data of CCW customers. The reports reveal the company names of the largest water users in the Coastal Bend. 

Now, the City is charging $2,636 for continued access to this data. 

The monthly access to this data would guarantee the public an opportunity to monitor new large volume water user meters coming online in real time. That's how we were able to inform you about the crypto mine on McKenzie Street. 

Chisme subscribers pay for our website. We're a subscription-funded, paywall-free and volunteer-run digital news publication.

Can you help?

Can you help us pay for more water data? Pitch in $2 or $5 on our CashApp $ChismeCollective or become a subscriber for $5 or $50 a month.

We need about 1,000 people to donate $2, or about 500 people to donate $5 to meet our goal.

Fill out this form if you would attend a data workshop on the largest water users in the Coastal Bend. Members of our team can discuss how we interpret the water data that has been provided so far. 

Come spread some sheets if that’s your thing.