Corpus Christi’s desalination plan leaves city facing a water crisis

Corpus Christi, a city in South Texas, is facing a severe water shortage after a long-promised seawater desalination plant failed to materialize.

In 2018, city leaders approved a plan for major industrial water users to help pay for the plant, which was meant to supply millions of gallons of freshwater each day.

The companies originally agreed to cover more of the cost, but now contribute only a fraction of the expected total, leaving residents to pay the rest.

The city has spent at least $50 million, but political turmoil, the pandemic and rising costs have stalled the project.

During the drought, the city did not press refineries and chemical plants to cut their water use, even as reservoirs nearly dried up.

Those industries use more water than the 500,000 residents of the seven-county Coastal Bend region combined.

The dispute has raised questions about who should bear responsibility for the crisis and the costs of new water supplies.

A public referendum on industrial water fees is planned for November.