Home / Environment / Corpus Christi Halts Desalination Project Again
Corpus Christi Halts Desalination Project Again
2 Sep
Summary
- City Council rejected a $78.6 million contract for the desalination plant.
- The project's estimated cost reached $979 million for initial phase.
- Opponents cite cost, environmental, and location concerns for rejection.
Corpus Christi's City Council has once again voted against advancing the Inner Harbor desalination project, marking a significant setback for the initiative. In a recent vote on September 1, council members rejected a contract valued at nearly $78.6 million. This decision effectively halts all ongoing design work by city staff.
The council's vote closely mirrored a similar rejection approximately a year prior, when a contract with a different firm was dismissed. The proposed contract with Corpus Christi Desal Partners was intended to fund the completion of 60% of the plant's design and establish a guaranteed maximum price. Initial estimates for a plant capable of producing 30 million gallons of water daily were around $979 million.
Despite an amended proposal to develop the project in two phases, costing an estimated $4 billion, the council's opposition persisted. Key concerns raised by opponents include the project's substantial cost, potential environmental ramifications, and its proximity to residential areas. Proponents, however, have argued for the project's safety and its necessity for future economic growth.
Although the contract was rejected, the desalination project's permits remain valid for the time being. City staff are scheduled to notify state agencies, including the Texas Water Development Board, which had previously awarded the city $757 million in low-interest loans for the project.
