Planning for the Next Generation

Water is the foundation of our economy, our neighborhoods, and our quality of life. Every family, business, and industry in Corpus Christi depends on a reliable, affordable water supply.

As our city grows, we must expand our water portfolio. The question is not whether we need new water sources—the question is which investments provide the greatest long-term benefit while protecting taxpayers and our bay.

I believe we need a balanced, diversified water strategy built on sound science, careful planning, and fiscal responsibility.

My Priorities

Diversify Our Water Supply

No single project will solve our water challenges. Corpus Christi should pursue a balanced portfolio that includes conservation, water reuse, groundwater development where appropriate, improved storage, and desalination where it makes environmental and economic sense. We should also seek opportunities to collaborate with private business on projects that both bring more water into the system and/or reduce total consumption.

Diversification makes our water system more resilient during droughts and changing climate conditions.

Protect Corpus Christi Bay

Our bay is one of our greatest assets. It supports recreation, tourism, commercial fishing, wildlife, and the quality of life that makes Corpus Christi unique.

Any major water project should demonstrate, through transparent scientific analysis, that it will protect the long-term health of our bay and the communities that depend on it.

Responsible Investment

Large infrastructure projects require significant public investment. Before committing taxpayers to billions of dollars in long-term costs, we should thoroughly evaluate all available alternatives, compare their long-term costs and benefits, and ensure we are selecting the option that delivers the greatest value.

Good engineering means examining every option before choosing the best one.

A Better Path Than Inner Harbor Desalination

I have serious concerns about locating a large seawater desalination facility in the semi-enclosed Inner Harbor.

While desalination can play an important role in our future water supply, the location and design of a project matter. An Inner Harbor facility raises important questions about long-term environmental impacts, operational costs, water quality, and the cumulative effects on a relatively enclosed portion of Corpus Christi Bay.

Before moving forward with a project of this scale, we should fully evaluate alternatives that may reduce environmental risk while providing the reliable water supply our region needs.

Questioning whether the current proposal is the best choice is not opposition to progress—it is responsible planning.

Expand Water Reuse

Every gallon we can safely reuse is a gallon that doesn’t have to come from rivers, reservoirs, or desalination.

If we look to other parts of the world that have managed scarce water resources (e.g. Isreal, the UAE, Western Australia) a clear pattern emerges. Every drop gets used twice! Expanding reclaimed water for industrial applications like cooling, irrigation, and other non-potable uses can increase system capacity while reducing costs and conserving higher-quality drinking water. Given our comparatively low rate of reuse today, I belive this represents one of our best opportunities to sustainable growth.

Transparency and Public Trust

Water decisions will affect Corpus Christi for generations.

Residents deserve open communication, independent scientific review, and clear explanations of project costs, expected benefits, and potential risks before major decisions are made.

The public should be a partner in these conversations—not an afterthought.

Looking Ahead

Our community deserves a water strategy that is reliable, resilient, and based on facts—not deadlines or politics.

As an engineer, I believe good decisions come from careful analysis, transparent data, and thoughtful planning. We owe it to future generations to make investments that strengthen our water security while protecting the natural resources that make Corpus Christi a special place to call home.