On March 28, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approved a water rights permit for a desalination plant in Corpus Christi. This will provide the city with an extra 40 million gallons of water a day that, unlike reservoirs, is resistant to drought. However, there are still challenges before construction can start.

As the city moves forward, many residents and environmental groups continue to voice their concerns. This debate highlights the challenge of balancing development with protecting the environment in a growing coastal community.

With opposition to this plan, climate change mitigation advocate and co-founder of Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Youth Climate Summit Armon Alex believes the current site proposed for the plant is a bad idea.

“It’s a terrible place for desalination. Detrimental for the nearby neighborhoods around it, detrimental for the wildlife nearby, and detrimental for the quality of life.”

Isabel Ariaza, an assistant professor of sociology and a strong opponent of the desalination project, worries about the environmental impact and the focus on water use by businesses. Ariaza, who represents the community through her group For The Greater Good, is firmly against the project.

“We always say no to desalination,” Ariaza stated, “It’s not just about the bay or Hillcrest—it’s about protecting our homes and environment for future generations.”

The plant’s water-rights permit lets the city take seawater from the La Quinta Channel, but TCEQ is still reviewing another permit. This second permit would allow the plant to release water with high salinity back into the gulf, which environmental groups fear could harm marine life by creating an ecological dead zone. Some also question the plant’s $757.5 million cost.

Jason Hale, another critic of the desalination project, shares concerns about the environment. Hale, who has researched desalination, believes that discharging wastewater into the bay could cause harm. He refers to studies recommending that the discharge be moved offshore to prevent damage to the environment. Hale also points to research showing that the current site for discharge could worsen the impact on Corpus Christi Bay.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development had been asked to delay the discharge permit after residents of Hillcrest filed a complaint. However, as of Oct. 9, the Department of Justice and HUD decided not to take any action.

The Environmental Protection Agency could have stepped in but confirmed it would not challenge the discharge permit. According to Dr. Earthea Nance, Regional Administrator for the EPA’s South-Central Region, the EPA and TCEQ have equal authority in cases like this. This means the final decision about the permit is mostly in the hands of TCEQ, which has not yet denied it.

Despite local opposition, the project has strong support from business groups. In October 2023, representatives from the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce and city officials went to Washington D.C. to support the desalination plant. They stressed the importance of the project for securing water for the city’s growing population and economy.

Corpus Christi depends on a combination of freshwater sources to meet its water needs, but these sources are running low. As of Nov. 18, Lake Corpus Christi is only 29% full, and Choke Canyon Reservoir is at 30% capacity. Lake Texana helps support the city’s water supply, but with the population increasing, these sources may not be enough, especially during droughts. Many who support desalination see the La Quinta Desalination Plant as a solution, as it could provide more stable water for the city.

However, Hale and other critics worry about the plant’s effect on the community and the environment. Hale is especially concerned about the plant being built in the Hillcrest neighborhood, where most of the water produced will be used by businesses. He worries that this will increase industrial activity in the area, affecting nearby neighborhoods not to mention add to the air pollution.

Alex suggests studies done by the Harte Research Institute states that there is no denying it proves desalination plants in the Corpus Christi Bay would have to go to extreme expenditure.

“The city nor the Port can afford with increasing taxes to guarantee zero harm done to local wildlife and environment. As a climate mitigation advocate, the increase in burning of fossil fuels will only expedite this crisis. Corpus Christi is at risk of and is currently dealing with its impacts as a coastal community. The desalination plant will produce water mainly for fossil fuel companies, not for the community,” said Alex.

Kiewit Infrastructure South Co. is the new design-build contractor for the Inner Harbor Seawater Desalination Treatment Plant, which was selected in October. Once the plant is running, it will make the city’s water supply more reliable, but critics believe the costs—both environmental and financial—might be too high.