A Corpus Christi water workshop turned heated as officials clashed over desalination, PFAS concerns and whether enough data will be ready by April 28.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A city water workshop meant to clarify progress on a proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant instead devolved into a contentious, nearly two-hour exchange among council members, the mayor and residents.
No vote was taken during the meeting, but tensions ran high as officials debated not only the desalination project itself, but also the purpose and timing of the workshop.
Council members questioned whether the meeting was necessary, noting the full council is already scheduled to meet in the coming days.
“We had to expense staff, time, energy,” District 4 Councilwoman Kaylynn Paxson said. “All of us had to stop our schedules … and we’re not actually anti-desal.”
Mayor Paulette Guajardo defended the decision to hold the workshop, saying it was intended to keep the public informed about the status of the project and outstanding issues.
“The public knowing where this contract is, what is still missing from it, what we’re waiting on … is important,” Guajardo said. “We address these issues for the public, which is who we work for.”
The proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant remains a key part of the city’s long-term water strategy, but major questions persist — including whether city leaders will have enough information to move forward later this month.
District 5 Councilman Gil Hernandez expressed skepticism that critical data will be ready in time.
“I don’t know,” Hernandez said. “The far-field model … it’s not going to be complete. I’m not sure if we’re going to have the information on the PFAS stuff.”
PFAS — often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment — became another flashpoint during the meeting.
At-large Councilman Roland Barrera downplayed concerns, suggesting they were being used to stall the project.
“PFAS is basically everywhere,” Barrera said. “It seems that that’s another item that’s used as a tool … just to obstruct.”
The debate comes as the city awaits findings from its far-field modeling committee, which is studying how discharge from the proposed plant could impact surrounding waters.
City Manager Peter Zanoni said initial findings from the committee will be presented to the council on April 28, though final results are not expected until June.
That timeline could complicate any near-term decision on the desalination project, leaving the city’s path forward on water supply uncertain as discussions continue.