In August 2018, Environmental Leader, citing the Corpus Christi Caller Times, reported that the Texas city of Corpus Christi planned to offer large industrial customers a voluntary fee of $0.25 for every 1,000 gallons. Payers would be exempt from drought surcharges, while others faced the risk of considerably higher charges. The rule was to amend Corpus Christi's drought plan and apply from 1 October. Revenue was earmarked for additional sources such as seawater desalination, groundwater, and storing water underground for later recovery.
The report showed how a growing industrial city tied the funding of extra water sources, desalination included, directly to the supply security of its large customers.