A proposed desalination plant on Harbor Island has cleared its final permitting hurdle, bringing the Coastal Bend one step closer to a major new source of drinking water.
The Port of Corpus Christi announced Wednesday, Sept. 23, that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) approved a permit allowing the proposed Harbor Island Desalination Facility to discharge water into the Gulf of Mexico.
The approval completes the project’s permitting process and clears the way for the next stages of development. Once operational, the facility could produce up to 100 million gallons of drinking water per day for industrial and municipal use.
Harbor Island Desalination Project Gets Approval
The latest approval focuses on the facility’s discharge system, a key requirement for the proposed seawater desalination operation.
The project would take seawater from the Gulf, remove salt and other minerals through desalination, and produce water that can support the region’s growing industrial and municipal demands.
According to the Port, the newly approved plan moves both the facility’s seawater intake and discharge offshore. This differs from an earlier proposal that would have used the nearby bay system.
The Port said it will now withdraw a smaller discharge permit approved in late 2022. The decision follows a commitment made by the Port Commission in May 2025 to pursue the revised offshore approach.
Offshore Design Addresses Bay Concerns
Moving the intake and discharge offshore could reduce the project’s direct interaction with the nearby bay system.
Port of Corpus Christi CEO Kent Britton said the project has been under development for nearly a decade as the Coastal Bend continues to seek a more reliable long-term water supply.
Britton also said project planners engaged with area communities during the development process and worked to address concerns involving the local bay system.
The revised design places both the seawater intake and discharge farther offshore, changing how the facility would interact with surrounding marine waters.
Plant Could Produce 100 Million Gallons Daily
The proposed Harbor Island facility could produce up to 100 million gallons of drinking water each day.
That capacity could significantly expand the region’s water supply, especially as communities and industries plan for long-term demand.
Desalination turns seawater into usable water by removing dissolved salts and other impurities. Because the Coastal Bend sits along the Gulf Coast, seawater provides a potentially large source for a desalination project.
However, developing a facility of this scale requires extensive environmental review, permitting, infrastructure, and investment before construction can begin.
The latest TCEQ approval marks an important regulatory milestone for the Harbor Island project.
Private Partners Expected to Advance Project
The Port of Corpus Christi will manage the land and infrastructure associated with the project, while private companies are expected to develop and operate the desalination facility.
The Nueces River Authority leases the property, while IDE Technologies serves as the project’s private partner.
Port Commission Chairman Gabe Guerra described the latest permitting approval as an important step in the region’s search for a long-term solution to its water supply challenges.
The project has been in development for years, reflecting the scale of infrastructure needed to establish a new water source for the Coastal Bend.
Construction Timeline Remains Unannounced
Despite completing the permitting process, officials have not announced a construction start date.
The Port also has not provided an expected completion date for the Harbor Island Desalination Facility.
For now, the approval allows the project partners to continue advancing plans for the proposed facility.
The next stages will likely involve additional development, engineering, and project planning before construction begins.
What the Desalination Project Means for Coastal Bend
The Harbor Island desalination project represents a major effort to diversify the Coastal Bend’s water supply.
With a potential capacity of 100 million gallons per day, the facility could eventually provide water for both municipal and industrial needs. Its offshore intake and discharge design also reflects efforts to address concerns about impacts on the local bay system.
For a region seeking dependable water supplies, the project could become an important part of long-term water planning.
Still, the facility remains proposed, and no construction or completion timeline has been announced.
The TCEQ permit approval represents a significant milestone, but additional steps remain before the plant can begin producing drinking water.