Water
Reliable. Affordable. Sustainable.
Building a water future that works for Corpus Christi.
“Water is too important to be approached with panic. We need a long-term strategy that protects both our future supply and the families paying the bill.”
A Fresh Perspective on Corpus Christi's Biggest Challenge
Over the past eight years, I have spent more time learning about water than I ever imagined I would. The more I learned, the more I realized how important this issue is to the future of Corpus Christi.
Water isn't just what comes out of our faucets. It's what supports our families, powers our economy, and fuels the industries that help drive growth across South Texas. As the regional water supplier for seven counties and nearly half a million people, Corpus Christi plays a much larger role than most cities our size.
The challenge is that our current system is under increasing pressure. Population growth, industrial demand, and drought conditions have all highlighted the need for additional water resources. At the same time, residents are already paying some of the highest water rates among comparable cities in Texas.
We cannot afford to make billion-dollar decisions without fully considering the long-term consequences.
Planning for the Future, Not Panicking in the Present
Recent rainfall has provided some much-needed relief, but it should also give us something equally valuable: time.
Time to evaluate our options.
Time to ask difficult questions.
Time to make smarter decisions.
For too long, our approach to water planning has been driven by urgency rather than strategy. Major infrastructure projects should be carefully evaluated based on cost, environmental impact, long-term reliability, and the burden they place on taxpayers and ratepayers.
Our goal should be a diversified water portfolio that can support future growth while keeping water affordable for the people who call Corpus Christi home.
Desalination May Be Part of the Solution
I believe seawater desalination will eventually become part of our long-term water strategy. However, that does not mean every desalination project is automatically the right project.
If we move forward with desalination, we need to make sure we get it right.
Any future desalination project should meet several important standards:
Scalability
If we're going to invest in a project of this magnitude, it must be capable of growing alongside our community's future needs. We should be planning for decades, not just the next few years.
Safe Source Water
We need to carefully evaluate where source water is drawn from. Water quality matters, and future facilities should minimize exposure to contaminants and emerging concerns such as PFAS and PFOS.
Environmental Responsibility
Our bays and estuaries are some of our region's greatest assets. Any desalination facility must utilize offshore brine discharge and other best practices that protect the health of our coastal ecosystem.
Regional Partnerships
The City of Corpus Christi should not carry these challenges alone. Successful water projects require cooperation between local governments, state agencies, federal partners, and regional stakeholders.
The Mary Rhodes Pipeline demonstrated what can be accomplished when multiple organizations work together toward a common goal. Future projects should follow that example.
Risk Management
Large-scale desalination facilities are among the most expensive and complex infrastructure projects in the world. Many successful projects are built and operated through public-private partnerships that help reduce risk for taxpayers while providing access to specialized expertise.
Every option should be evaluated based on what best protects the citizens of Corpus Christi.
Keeping Water Affordable
One of my biggest concerns is affordability.
While industrial customers consume a significant portion of our regional water supply, the financial burden of major projects often falls disproportionately on Corpus Christi residents. We must ensure that future investments are structured in a way that is fair, sustainable, and protects local families from dramatic rate increases.
The people of Corpus Christi should never be asked to shoulder unnecessary risk.
Moving Forward Together
Water will be one of the defining issues facing our city for the next generation.
We need leadership that is willing to ask tough questions, evaluate every option, and make decisions based on facts rather than fear. We need a strategy that protects our environment, supports economic growth, secures our water future, and keeps rates as affordable as possible.
I believe Corpus Christi can achieve all of those goals.
With thoughtful planning, regional cooperation, and a long-term vision, we can build a water system that serves our citizens, our businesses, and future generations for decades to come.
View My Other Priorities
Securing Our Most Important ResourceWater is essential to our quality of life, our economy, and our future growth. We need a balanced, forward-thinking strategy that protects ratepayers, diversifies our water supply, and ensures major projects are planned responsibly with long-term sustainability in mind.
Building Infrastructure That LastsToo often, we spend taxpayer dollars repairing the same roads over and over again. By focusing on durable infrastructure, smarter construction practices, and long-term planning, we can build streets and utility systems that better serve residents while reducing future maintenance costs.
Helping with Compassion & CoordinationHomelessness is a complex challenge that affects individuals, families, and the entire community. By improving coordination among service providers, expanding affordable housing opportunities, and focusing on prevention, we can help more people find stability while creating better outcomes for our city as a whole.
Connecting People to OpportunityA great city is more than roads and buildings. By expanding trails, improving access to our waterways, supporting local businesses, and strengthening connections between neighborhoods and amenities, we can create a healthier, more vibrant community that attracts and retains talent.
Supporting Those who Protect UsStrong public safety begins with supporting our police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and emergency dispatchers. By improving response times, investing in prevention, and expanding mental health resources for first responders, we can keep our community safe while ensuring those who serve us receive the support they deserve.
Water FAQs
Why is water one of your top priorities?
1
Water affects every family and every business in Corpus Christi. It impacts our quality of life, our economy, and our ability to grow. We need to make sure we have a reliable water supply while keeping rates as affordable as possible for the people who live here.
Do you support seawater desalination?
2
Yes. I believe seawater desalination will eventually become part of Corpus Christi's long-term water strategy. My concern isn't whether we build desalination, but how we build it. We need to make sure any project is environmentally responsible, financially sound, and designed to meet our future needs.
Why are water rates so expensive?
3
Corpus Christi is the regional water supplier for nearly 500,000 people across seven counties. While we supply water to a large industrial base, our residents are often left carrying much of the financial burden for major infrastructure projects. We need a better approach that protects taxpayers while securing our water future.
Should the City move forward with the Inner Harbor Desalination Project?
4
Any project of that size deserves careful evaluation. We have been given valuable time by recent rainfall to slow down, examine all available options, and make sure we're choosing the right solution instead of simply the fastest one.
What concerns you most about future water projects?
5
My biggest concerns are affordability, long-term risk, and environmental stewardship. Major infrastructure projects should be planned for decades of service, not just immediate needs. We owe it to taxpayers to fully understand both the costs and the long-term impacts before moving forward.
Why do you believe regional partnerships are important?
6
Water is a regional issue, not just a city issue. Corpus Christi has successfully partnered with organizations like the Port of Corpus Christi and the Nueces River Authority on previous projects. Future water infrastructure should continue that collaborative approach by bringing together local, state, and federal partners.
What is a Public-Private Partnership (P3), and why do you support exploring one?
7
Around the world, many large desalination facilities are designed, built, and operated through public-private partnerships. These projects are extremely complex and expensive. A P3 can help reduce financial risk while allowing the City to benefit from private-sector expertise. Every option should be evaluated based on what best protects the citizens of Corpus Christi.