Story perspectives

Texas Cuts Funding, Declares Water Emergency Amid Desal Plant Rejection

5/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

Texas Water Development Board denied funding to 13 water projects, including the $140 million Harbor Island desalination plant.
The SWIFT fund had $1.28 billion while 23 projects sought $4.2 billion, prompting the unprecedented rejections.
Nueces County commissioners declared a water emergency, restricting outdoor watering because supplies could run short within 180 days, by September.
Corpus Christi paid $2.7 million to reserve the option of buying 50 million gallons of water per day from the proposed plant.

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Story summary

Texas Water Development Board denied funding to 13 water projects, including the $140 million Harbor Island desalination plant.
The SWIFT fund had $1.28 billion while 23 projects sought $4.2 billion, prompting the unprecedented rejections.
Nueces County commissioners declared a water emergency, restricting outdoor watering because supplies could run short within 180 days, by September.
Corpus Christi paid $2.7 million to reserve the option of buying 50 million gallons of water per day from the proposed plant.