Storm Water Quality

Why is it Important?

Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain flows over the ground and impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets. Stormwater picks up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants and flows into our storm sewer system or directly into creeks, rivers, or bays. Polluted stormwater runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals, and people.

Doing our part to maintain a clean storm water system helps protect our natural floodplains. Floodplains are a natural part of the ecosystem and serve many functions. In addition to providing habitat to many of Corpus Christi’s native plant and animal species, floodplains also have direct benefits to humans. The vegetation found in floodplains acts as a natural means of erosion control. Floodplains also absorb more floodwater than barren land, reducing the impact downstream property.

• Calallen
• North Beach - Port
• Mustang Island 1
• Mustang Island 2
• Padre Island
• Flour Bluff Wetlands
• Tailings Pond Wetlands
• Oso Creek 1
• Oso Creek 2
• Oso Creek 3
• Oso Creek 4
• Caya Del Oso

So how can you do your part to help protect and preserve our natural floodplains?

Here are some tips:

• Consider building outside the floodplain
• Manage stormwater to prevent oils and chemicals from entering the floodplain.
• Keep natural watercourses clear of the trash. Don’t dump within a floodplain.
• Avoid sweeping or washing trash, debris, dirt, or leaves into the street. Instead, collect the waste and dispose of it in a trash bin.   

To report Illegal Dumping, please get in touch with the Customer Call Center by calling 311.

The City of Corpus Christi’s Public Works- Storm Water department maintains storm water infrastructure, improves storm water quality, and protects the community from flooding. Storm water drainage lines are located throughout the entire city, and the city’s storm water is channeled through the system of pipes and ditches to our creeks, bays, estuaries, and oceans. The Stormwater Maintenance of Lines and Pollution Prevention Teams manage activities associated with the City’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) to minimize pollution from entering storm water.  

Preventative programs include:

1. Storm Inlet Marking Program
2. Pet Waste Pollution- Why Scoop the Poop?
3. Disposing of Yard Waste
4. Hazardous Waste Disposal
5. Keep your lawn & garden green while protecting our local waters!
6. Storm Water Ordinances

To learn more on how to do your part to conserve, save clean & reduce, visit: Take Care of Texas | Take Care of Texas