03/12/2025

Protester Yells As TCEQ Approves Final Permit For Corpus Christi Desalination Plant

KIII-TV Corpus Christi | Wes Wilson | March 13, 2025

Protester Yells As TCEQ Approves Final Permit For Corpus Christi Desalination Plant

Corpus Christi's planned desalination plant received a major boost Thursday as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality granted Corpus Christi a discharge permit. This is the final permit the desalination plant needed before starting construction.

Specifically this discharge permit is for the planned desalination plant in the Inner Harbor. It would produce 20 million gallons of water per day (MGD) initially and expand to 30 MGD in a second and final phase.

"Today's historic decision by the TCEQ commissioners represents a crucial milestone in the City of Corpus Christi securing water for our region," said Mayor Paulette Guajardo.

"We're real excited," Corpus Christi City Manager Peter Zanoni added. "This demonstrates what we had confidence in -- that this water treatment facility will not have an adverse impact on our bay. It's one of our guiding principles -- protecting the environment. And today's vote shows the TCEQ unanimously agrees with our position."

The vote wasn't without some drama. Right before the commissioners officially voted, a woman walked toward them shouting.

"We're not going to tolerate it," the woman could be heard saying in part, telling the TCEQ commissioners they are supposed to be protecting the environment.

The woman then turned and walked away as the TCEQ seconded the motion to approve the permit and passed it unanimously.

Local groups who also oppose the Inner Harbor desalination plant said they were disappointed that the TCEQ would not allow them to be heard. Lamont Taylor with the Hillcrest Residents Association and the Texas Campaign for the Environment said he was disappointed but not surprised.

“Not even letting us have our day in court, and that’s disappointing with the process of citizens not having their day in court," Taylor said.

Taylor added they are weighing their options to appeal the decision.

What's next for the desalination plant?

The desalination plant is expected to cost approximately $758 million to build. Last October, the city selected Kiewit to build the facility at the corner of Nueces Bay Boulevard and West Broadway Street.

Kiewit is already designing the facility. According to the city's timeline, construction could start as early as this fall. The plant would not open until the end of 2027 at the earliest.

Vote comes as Corpus Christi water supply dwindles

Entering Thursday, Corpus Christi remains in Stage 3 water restrictions with a potential water emergency in the future. Combined lake levels sit at just 17.4 percent.

"Today's milestone ensures that the Coastal Bend will have the water security it needs to thrive long into the future," said Drew Molly, Corpus Christi Water's Chief Operating Officer.

City Council Member Roland Barrera added that it was a "decade of work in the making."

"I would like to thank the team of professionals and policy makers who worked to achieve this historic milestone to secure a safe, affordable, environmentally friendly, and uninterrupted water supply.