CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas \u2014 A national report spotlighting Corpus Christi\u2019s looming water challenges dropped just one day after the city abruptly ended its contract with the company designing a key desalination project.<\/p>\n
A letter obtained by KRIS 6 News shows the city terminated its agreement with Kiewit, the firm tasked with designing the Inner Harbor desalination plant. The letter cites a \u201ctermination for convenience.\u201d<\/p>\n
The decision, and its timing, drew fresh scrutiny after The Wall Street Journal published a story Saturday describing Corpus Christi as a booming energy hub that could soon run dry \u2014 alluding to the fact that the city has no clear path forward for a long-term water supply.<\/p>\n
Wall Street Journal report sparks backlash over Corpus Christi water crisis<\/p>\n
District 3 Councilman Eric Cantu pushed back against the report\u2019s tone, calling it a \u201chit piece.\u201d He believes national attention was influenced by industry insiders aiming to pressure local leaders.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not running out of water because of this council,\u201d Cantu said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been running low for years \u2014 for the same reasons. They haven\u2019t done anything to get another water source.\u201d
District 2 Councilwoman Sylvia Campos, who was quoted in the Journal, agreed the issue runs deeper than supply \u2014 it\u2019s about long-term strategy.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t build your way out of every problem,\u201d Campos told the paper. Campos has consistently raised concerns about the Inner Harbor plants’ estimated $1 billion cost. She maintains the city should prioritize smart, sustainable planning over speed.
Mayor Paulette Guajardo called the Journal article \u201cdisconcerting,\u201d but reaffirmed the city\u2019s commitment to securing a reliable water future.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur priority is making sure residents have a reliable water supply and avoiding curtailments in the future,\u201d Guajardo said in a statement. \u201cDesalination remains a key part of our long-term strategy.\u201d
Despite the national attention and mounting pressure, Cantu said the city council remains focused.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeep doing the articles. Keep blasting us on Facebook,\u201d he said. \u201cAll you\u2019re doing is motivating us to find the water that other councils couldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
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