CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Since December 2024, the city has been ramping up enforcement of water violations under its Stage 3 drought restrictions, issuing over 160 citations, primarily for improper irrigation. Fines have averaged more than $400, with some penalties reaching as high as $500 per day.
However, despite District 3, which is the city's Westside, reporting the highest level of enforcement activity in February, with 20 cases opened, only four citations were issued during that time.
"I don’t know, I just mostly water my plants. That’s it," District 3 resident Brianna Watson said.
Another resident, Jesse, suggested that neighborhood dynamics might be driving the issue. "I think it’s just neighbors turning on neighbors… Why? That’s just how it is in this neighborhood," he said.
While the city encourages residents to report violations through the 311 service, some districts have seen citations issued even without official cases being logged. For example:
- District 1: Zero cases opened, but four citations issued.
- District 4: Two cases opened, but eight citations issued.
- District 5: Three cases opened, but only two citations issued.
Understanding the Discrepancy
So, why the discrepancy between District 3, where the most cases were opened, and other districts with fewer cases but more citations? According to the city, the 20 cases in District 3 reflect proactive inspections conducted by Code Compliance Inspectors, not complaints filed by residents. District 3 was actively targeted for inspections, which resulted in a high number of cases opened. However, only four citations were issued because many of the inspections didn’t meet the threshold for formal penalties. Instead, some residents received notices of violation or warnings, rather than fines.
In contrast, in District 1, where no formal cases were opened, citations were still issued. This suggests that citations may not be based solely on complaints but could also be influenced by prior violations or proactive monitoring of areas with known water usage issues.
Neighbor Conflicts and Increased Reports
Jesse’s theory of neighbor conflicts driving up reports of violations could be a factor in the higher number of cases opened in District 3. While the city’s proactive inspections are aimed at ensuring compliance with water restrictions, some of the reported violations may stem from neighborhood disputes, leading to more cases being opened than actual violations.
Enforcement Decisions: Are They Based Solely on Complaints?
The city has been canvassing all districts equally, inspecting properties from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. on weekends. In areas with fewer official cases, like Districts 1 and 5, the citations issued may stem from historical patterns of violations or proactive monitoring, rather than active 311 reports or complaints.
Conclusion
While District 3 had the highest number of cases opened in February, the low number of citations suggests that proactive enforcement can sometimes result in warnings rather than fines, especially when violations aren’t clear-cut. Meanwhile, districts with fewer cases opened have seen higher citation rates, raising further questions about the criteria used to issue citations.
