VLOG: Desal and Disorder
By Andrew Foster – Reel Sportswear
When the Sparkling City by the Sea starts running out of water, things get complicated fast.
Between billion-dollar desal dreams, corporate pressure, and locals being told to “cut back,” it’s starting to feel like common sense got left at the dock.
In this first episode of the Reel VLOG, Andrew Foster — founder of Reel Sportswear — breaks down what’s really happening in Corpus Christi’s water fight.
It’s not about politics. It’s about community, fairness, and calling things what they are.
They call it water security.
We call it Desal and Disorder.
🎥 Watch the full vlog above, or check out the sources below to see where the numbers came from.
☔ Featured Gear: Old Timer Coach Jacket — dries fast, looks good, and unlike City Hall, actually works when it’s wet.
What’s this series about?
The Reel VLOG is a collection of unfiltered monologues from Andrew Foster — stories from the coast, small-town politics, and the culture that keeps Texas fishing alive.
No scripts. No sponsors. Just truth, community, and a little salt in the air.
Sources & Further Reading
Reservoir Levels & Drought 2 links
- Inside Climate News (Jan 23, 2025): City’s reservoirs have fallen below 20% full; industrial demand rising.
insideclimatenews.org/.../corpus-christi-launches-emergency-water-projects - Texas Tribune (Sep 3, 2025): Without new supply, emergency could occur as early as Dec 2026.
texastribune.org/.../corpus-christi-desalination-water-plans-canceled
Industrial Water Use Share 3 links
- KRIS 6 News (Jul 2024): Local officials say industry accounts for ~60–80% of city water use.
kristv.com/.../big-industries-of-the-coastal-bend-get-the-lions-share - Texas Observer (Apr 2024): Industrial + commercial users make up at least 58% of demand.
texasobserver.org/.../corpus-christi-water-crisis-tesla-industrial-expansion - Texas Public Radio (Jan 2025): 2018 ordinance lets industrial users buy drought-restriction exemptions.
tpr.org/.../corpus-christi-is-drilling-for-water
Desalination Projects & Costs 3 links
- City of Corpus Christi (2024): Inner Harbor Water Treatment Campus early estimate ~$997M–$1.189B.
corpuschristitx.gov/.../inner-harbor-water-treatment-campus - KRIS 6 News (Oct 2024): Cost estimated to top $1B as council tightens oversight.
kristv.com/.../inner-harbor-desalination-plant-estimated-to-top-1-billion - Texas Tribune (Apr 12, 2024): Notes rising industrial demand; Exxon/SABIC contracts up to 25 MGD.
texastribune.org/.../corpus-christi-water-shortage-hydrogen-clean-energy
Who Pays & Rate Impacts 2 links
- KRIS 6 News (Aug 2025): Residents face 8% monthly rate increase even if desal is canceled.
kristv.com/.../residents-face-8-monthly-water-rate-hike - Texas Tribune (Sep 2025): After halting Inner Harbor plans, officials still exploring costly alternatives.
texastribune.org/.../desalination-water-plans-canceled
Industrial Pressure & Politics 2 links
- Texas Tribune (Apr 2024): Industrial expansion strains limited supply; refineries/chemical plants consume majority.
texastribune.org/.../water-shortage-hydrogen-clean-energy - Inside Climate News (Jan 2025): Details state pressure and rush to fund desal amid dwindling reservoirs.
insideclimatenews.org/.../corpus-christi-launches-emergency-water-projects
Context: Desal Cost Benchmarks 1 link
- Texas Comptroller (2022): Seawater desal ~$800–$1,400 per acre-foot; brackish ~$350–$800.
comptroller.texas.gov/.../2022/desalination.php