Corpus Christi Delays Vote on Inner Harbor Desalination Plant

Departure of lead modeler forces 30-day postponement of crucial city council decision.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:34pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of an empty industrial dock along the Corpus Christi Inner Harbor, with a lone desalination plant structure in the distance bathed in warm, golden sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and uncertainty about the future of the project.The proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant project faces an unexpected delay as Corpus Christi officials grapple with the sudden departure of a key environmental modeler.Corpus Christi Today

The City of Corpus Christi has postponed a vote on a proposed desalination plant in the Inner Harbor by 30 days after learning that the lead modeler on the critical bay study has left the consulting firm hired for the project. City officials say the study is essential for understanding the potential impact on the local bay system before making a decision on the plant.

Why it matters

The proposed desalination plant is a major infrastructure project that could have significant environmental implications for the Corpus Christi Bay. The sudden departure of the lead modeler has created uncertainty and delays the city's ability to make an informed decision on whether to approve the plant.

The details

The City Council had been expected to vote on the desalination plant project on April 28, but that vote has now been pushed back 30 days. The consulting firm Spheros, which the city hired to conduct the bay study, had relied heavily on modeler Jordan Furnans, who was familiar with the local bay system. However, the city was informed yesterday that Furnans is no longer with the company. This change has also led to the cancellation of this week's far-field advisory committee meeting, catching some members off guard.

  • The City Council had been expected to vote on the desalination plant project on April 28.
  • The vote has now been pushed back 30 days.

The players

Peter Zanoni

Corpus Christi City Manager.

Jordan Furnans

The lead modeler on the bay study who is no longer with the consulting firm Spheros.

Jason Hale

An advocate for the proposed desalination plant project.

Spheros

The consulting firm hired by the city to conduct the bay study.

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What they’re saying

“It's definitely not ideal what happened. Yesterday I felt my world was turned upside down because I've been advocating for this for two years. We had a set plan. We had a set person. A lot of trust in that person and now I have no idea what's going to happen.”

— Jason Hale, Desalination Plant Advocate

“He seemed preliminarily confident that the Inner Harbor desal facility would be an OK plant in the Inner Harbor ship channel given all the different things that take place in the ship channel.”

— Peter Zanoni, Corpus Christi City Manager

What’s next

The consulting firm Spheros has requested an additional 30 days to complete the study on the potential impact of the proposed desalination plant on the Corpus Christi Bay.

The takeaway

This delay highlights the importance of thorough environmental impact assessments for major infrastructure projects like desalination plants. The sudden departure of the lead modeler has created uncertainty and underscores the need for cities to have robust contingency plans when relying on specialized expertise from consulting firms.