Corpus Christi Council takes no action on up to $120M WaterSMART grant for Inner Harbor

On June 30, 2026, the Corpus Christi City Council took no action on a motion that would have authorized city staff to work with WSP to execute paperwork needed to apply for—and accept—federal U.S. Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART grant funding for the Inner Harbor seawater desalination treatment plant.

KRIS 6 reported the outcome was 5–4, leaving the City’s federal-funding path for the project unclear as Corpus Christi continues long-term water supply planning.

What the motion would have authorized

In the agenda item listed as File 26-1017, Council asked to authorize staff to work with WSP on “all documents necessary” to apply for and accept the Bureau of Reclamation grant fund tied to the Inner Harbor desalination effort.

Local reporting described the request as seeking up to $120 million through the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Desalination Grant Program.

The July 2 memo: no approval to complete and submit

In a July 2, 2026 memo (“Water Supply Update No. 63”), Corpus Christi Water says Council did not approve city staff proceeding with the completion and submission of the Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART grant application.

The same memo also points to the program’s Aug. 26 application deadline and states that the Bureau of Reclamation had approved the Inner Harbor project as feasible and eligible for the grant.

What residents should watch next

For residents, the practical impact is that the memo indicates the City was not authorized to finish and submit this WaterSMART application during the window the City referenced. That can shift what federal-grant options are available next for the Inner Harbor desalination project.

The next thing to watch is whether the City schedules a follow-up action—such as re-authorizing staff for another application step, pursuing a different funding route, or providing an updated schedule—after Council’s “no action” vote on June 30.

Sources

• Corpus Christi Legistar (File 26-1017) — City Council record for the Inner Harbor WaterSMART grant motion
• City of Corpus Christi — Water Supply Update No. 63 (dated July 2, 2026) memo on the Inner Harbor grant
• KRIS 6 News — Report on the City Council vote breakdown (5–4) and what the motion would have authorized
• The Texas Tribune — Independent reporting on Council declining the federal grant application