Full Breakdown
Corpus Christi Considers Water Purchase Amid Drought Crisis
3/26/2026, 4:19:29 PM
City Council's Decision to Explore Water Acquisition
In a significant move to address an impending water emergency, the Corpus Christi City Council voted 7-1 to initiate negotiations with Corpus Christi Polymers, a plastic manufacturing company, to purchase water from its under-construction desalination plant. This decision comes six months after the council scrapped its own seawater desalination project, which was projected to produce 30 million gallons of drinking water per day by 2028 but faced escalating costs exceeding $1.2 billion and environmental concerns regarding its impact on local ecosystems.
The city is currently experiencing a historic drought, with its main reservoirs at just 8.4% capacity, raising alarms that Corpus Christi may soon have only 180 days of water supply left. City Manager Peter Zanoni has emphasized that desalination could serve as a long-term, drought-resistant solution for the approximately 500,000 residents across seven counties reliant on the water system.
Background on the Desalination Project
The Corpus Christi City Council had previously invested years and tens of millions of dollars into developing a city-owned desalination plant. However, after extensive discussions and rising costs, the council decided to abandon the project last September. Following this, an attempt to purchase the Corpus Christi Polymers desalination plant was rejected in October. The current negotiations aim to secure water from this facility, which has already obtained state permits and is reported to be around 90% complete.
Official Statements & Responses
Council member Kaylyn Paxson expressed support for moving forward with negotiations, stating, “I don’t see any reason not to move forward with at least negotiating.” Meanwhile, Council member Everett Roy, who also supported the measure, urged caution, saying, “I just, once again, I think we should move cautiously … I don’t want to put us once again where we’re in a position of desperation.” Zanoni conveyed a sense of cautious optimism regarding the project, indicating that Aquatech, the desalination company, believes it can deliver on the project.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the council's decision, skepticism remains among some members. Council member Roland Barrera, who voted against the measure, expressed reluctance, stating, “Once they come up with a good deal, then I’ll support it.” Additionally, environmental advocates have raised concerns about the potential ecological impact of desalination, particularly regarding the discharge of highly saline water into Corpus Christi Bay, which could create "dead zones" detrimental to marine life.
What's Next
The city council is set to engage in negotiations with Aquatech to finalize the terms of the water purchase agreement. If successful, the desalination plant is expected to produce approximately 9 million gallons of potable water daily, potentially operational within a year after a contract is signed. The outcome of these negotiations will be critical in determining how Corpus Christi addresses its water supply challenges in the face of ongoing drought conditions.
