The Nueces River Authority has proposed to lease the Port of Corpus Christi’s Harbor Island property to operate a seawater desalination plant, citing an impending water shortage that the city of Corpus Christi’s proposed desalination plant would not be able to cover alone.
Port officials have been seeking to attain permits for a proposed desalination plant at its Harbor Island property, but they have said the port does not plan to own or operate a desalination plant. Instead, the permits would provide either the city or a third party the option to construct, own and operate a desalination plant, the Caller-Times has previously reported.
The river authority’s proposal was “unsolicited,” port Chief Executive Officer Kent Britton said, but the port will consider the offer.
John Byrum, executive director of the Nueces River Authority, said Friday that he has scheduled a meeting with the city of Corpus Christi to discuss the proposal.
The river authority serves primarily as a regional water resource planning agency for all or parts of 22 counties in South Texas and monitors state and federal activities that could affect the Nueces Basin, according to its website.