A Strategic Pivot
In a notable strategic shift, the Port of Corpus Christi has decided to abandon plans to establish a desalination plant at La Quinta Channel, opting instead to focus on other potential sites. Kent Britton, the Port’s CEO, cited environmental concerns and capacity limitations as primary reasons for the decision. Britton said La Quinta could only accommodate a desalination facility with a production capacity of 20 to 30 million gallons per day without adversely affecting the bay’s salinity—significantly lower than the desired capacity.
Legal and Environmental Hurdles
The Port currently holds a permit for a 50-million-gallon-per-day facility at Harbor Island, though this permit faces legal challenges. In light of these challenges, Port officials, including Chairman David Engel, revealed plans at a recent City Council meeting to seek new permits for an even larger facility capable of producing 100 million gallons daily.
Community and Environmental Concerns
The debate over desalination in the Coastal Bend has been ongoing since the 1980s, gaining particular momentum over the past five years as the City of Corpus Christi has pushed forward with its plans. However, the community’s environmental concerns have grown, particularly regarding the potential impact of discharge locations. The Port suggests that offshore discharge in the Gulf of Mexico might mitigate some of these environmental risks due to better water dispersion capabilities.
The Road Ahead
Despite stepping away from constructing or operating a desalination plant, the Port remains a pivotal player in the region’s water strategy. Britton emphasized the inevitability of desalination as a solution to the area’s water shortages. He advocates for responsible site selection that minimizes environmental impact. He suggests that desalination could provide a nearly unlimited water supply with careful planning.
City and Port Collaboration
The City of Corpus Christi, a potential developer of the proposed desalination plant, has been actively involved in evaluating the impacts and benefits of such projects. Drew Molly, CEO of Corpus Christi Water, noted that the Port’s modeling efforts for the La Quinta site needed to apply to the City’s Inner Harbor project, designed to ensure reliable drinking water while protecting public health and the environment. In the future, the City looks to continue its partnership with the Port, exploring additional water supply opportunities after the completion of the Inner Harbor project.