In August 2018, Water. Desalination + reuse (Faversham House) reported, citing the Caller Times, that the City of Corpus Christi and San Patricio Municipal Water District had sought information on alternative water sources including desalination. Responses were due by 21 October 2018. The port had already sought discharge permits for La Quinta Junction and Harbor Island, and Freese and Nichols was preparing a feasibility study for the city. Separately, Seven Seas Water proposed a privately financed 37,854 m³/day (10 MGD) seawater plant costing USD 150 million.
The report showed that Corpus Christi was still exploring desalination at an early stage in 2018, while private providers were already offering their own financing models.