The City of Corpus Christi is at a critical crossroads regarding its water future. As officials move closer to greenlighting the proposed Inner Harbor desalination project, a new debate has emerged: Should the city hire two separate professional firms to conduct the environmental modeling rather than just one?
This discussion arises from the need to address long-standing public concerns about the project’s impact on local ecosystems. By expanding the scope of “far-field modeling,” the city hopes to provide a definitive look at how the plant might affect the delicate balance of South Texas waterways.
Expanding the Scope of Environmental Impact
Against this backdrop, the proposed desalination plant is designed to generate up to 30 million gallons of treated water per day. However, the scale of the project has historically invited scrutiny. A major criticism of the city’s previous, now-terminated contract was the narrow scope of its environmental study. Critics argued that modeling was limited to the ship channel, ignoring the broader implications for Nueces Bay and Corpus Christi Bay. Responding to these criticisms, City Manager Peter Zanoni now advocates a comprehensive far-field model that analyzes the entire hydrologic system to ensure that brine discharge and water intake do not harm local marine life or water quality.
A Tale of Two Firms: Spheros vs. Hazen and Sawyer
Building on this shift, during a Far-Field Advisory Committee meeting on March 5, city staff introduced an unconventional proposal: hiring both Spheros and Hazen and Sawyer to conduct the modeling. This recommendation follows a close evaluation. Spheros scored highest, but only by a slim margin. Nick Winkelmann, interim COO of Corpus Christi Water, said hiring both firms could leverage each firm’s strengths.
As a result, the city is considering how best to leverage both firms’ expertise. This has raised the question: will a collaborative approach yield better results, or should the firms act in a peer-review capacity?
The city is currently weighing two primary strategies for this dual-contract approach:
- Parallel Modeling: Both firms perform independent studies, allowing the city to compare findings and identify areas of congruence or discrepancy.
- Peer Review Structure: One firm manages the primary modeling while the second provides a rigorous third-party peer review.
Winkelmann suggested that this redundancy would improve quality control and efficiency. However, he acknowledged that specific details on the cost and logistics remain pending.
Skepticism Within the Advisory Committee
Nevertheless, the proposal to hire two competitors hasn’t been met with universal praise. Several committee members expressed concerns regarding the logistics of such an arrangement. “It should not be two competitors,” argued committee member Deanna King, who questioned why the city wouldn’t simply proceed with the highest-scoring firm. Skeptics worry that forced cooperation between rivals creates friction and risks sharing sensitive proprietary data.
The April Deadline: A Tight Timeline
City Council’s April vote on the desalination contract creates urgent pressure for local government leaders. Council members fear committing to contracts before final modeling reveals the project’s full environmental impact. As the city moves toward a decision, the focus remains on transparency. The city aims for a sustainable water solution while protecting bay health, regardless of contractors.