Perspectives on Marine Desalination as a form of Water Security: Corpus Christi, Texas

Keywords: urban water security, desalination, Texas
Session Type: Virtual Paper
Day: Wednesday
Session Start / End Time: 4/7/2021 09:35 AM (Pacific Time (US & Canada)) - 4/7/2021 10:50 AM (Pacific Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 6

Abstract

As demand for water grows, cities are seeking additional sources of water. Promoted by many as a drought proof, virtually endless water supply, marine desalination is seen as an important and necessary investment in water supply. In Corpus Christi, Texas the push for the state’s first marine desalination is fueled by industrial growth. Corpus Christi is home to the 3rd largest port in the nation and the 2nd largest in crude oil export. Five desalination plants are being proposed by the City of Corpus Christi, the Port of Corpus Christi, and the City of Ingleside. These plants are all intended to support current and future industrial development in the area, rather than municipal demand. There exists community conflict over this increased interest in marine desalination from environmental advocacy and social justice groups. Believing desalination is expensive and potentially harmful to coastal ecosystems, these groups have protested and petitioned their city government against pursuing desalination. To understand the controversy, I used Q-method, an approach used to quantify social perspectives, to understand and analyze the ongoing tension and controversy of bringing marine desalination to Corpus Christi. Overall, analysis revealed that opposition to desalination is not homogeneous and these differences are important to include in larger policy discussions regarding water governance and water security for all. The perspectives found in Corpus Christi are likely to appear in the development of other marine desalination projects.