In a recent city council meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding the management of water resources and the proposed desalination plant in the inner harbor. A council member highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the Carlsbad desalination plant in California, which has incurred costs of $274 million due to multiple intake structure failures. This plant has yet to operate independently, raising questions about the feasibility of similar projects.

Critics pointed out that the city has not developed a comprehensive water conservation plan, instead suggesting that current strategies appear to prioritize revenue generation over sustainable water management. The discussion emphasized that industrial users consume a disproportionate amount of water—nearly half of the total supply—while residential usage has significantly decreased. This disparity has led to accusations of misleading statistics being used to downplay the impact of industrial water consumption.

Additionally, the council faced calls for accountability, with demands for the city manager's resignation due to perceived failures in securing water sources and permits. Concerns were also voiced about the projected costs of the desalination plant, which some believe could exceed $1 billion, contrary to official estimates.

Public sentiment expressed during the meeting indicated a growing frustration with the city's handling of water resources, particularly in light of the increasing demands from industrial users. Residents urged the council to prioritize transparency and accountability in their water management strategies, emphasizing the need for a more aggressive conservation approach to mitigate the looming water crisis.