Corpus Christi Allocates $2.7M to Protect Harbor Island Desal Water

The Corpus Christi City Council approved a nonrefundable fee of $2.7 million to reserve water from a proposed seawater desalination plant operated by the Nueces River Authority. This decision marks a significant step in addressing the region’s growing water needs, as outlined in a 2022 statewide water plan that projected a deficit for the Coastal Bend area.

Background and Project Details

The Nueces River Authority first introduced the idea of developing a desalination plant last year, citing the anticipated shortfall in water supply. The plan aims to address a projected deficit of 33 million gallons per day in 2030 and 44 million gallons per day in 2070. To support this initiative, the river authority leased 30 acres of land on Harbor Island from the Port of Corpus Christi, securing a 50-year agreement with an option for renewal.

Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the plant potentially becoming operational by December 2029. The project includes plans for an initial phase of 100 million gallons per day, with the potential to expand up to 450 million gallons per day. The facility will draw seawater and discharge brine offshore into the Gulf.

Key Decisions and Concerns

The motion to approve the reservation fee passed with a 5-3 vote during the council's Oct. 21 meeting. While most members supported the move, some expressed concerns about the lack of detailed information regarding costs, water rates, and the feasibility of the project. Mayor Paulette Guajardo and council members Roland Barrera and Sylvia Campos voted against the motion, while Councilman Mark Scott was absent.

City Manager Peter Zanoni recommended reserving 50 million gallons per day, the maximum available quantity, to help fill the gap in the city's reservoirs. Zanoni noted that the reservoirs used to generate about 70 million gallons but may not return to full capacity. He emphasized that the reservation would provide a chance to secure necessary water and potentially attract additional customers.

Financial and Operational Aspects

The reservation fee of $2.7 million is meant to secure 56,007 acre feet of water per year, or approximately 50 million gallons per day. The cost amounts to $24.44 per acre foot. However, the actual cost of water could range between $10 to $15 per thousand gallons, according to the Nueces River Authority. The authority has not agreed to cap future take-or-pay contracts at $15 per thousand gallons.

Byrum mentioned that the entire project is estimated to cost between $5.5 billion and $6 billion, including the treatment plant and a water conveyance system. Funding for the treatment plant will come from a private partner yet to be selected.

Future Steps and Challenges

An unsigned reservation option contract included in the City Council agenda states that the quantity of water may be increased but not decreased without mutual agreement. The reservation fee does not guarantee the delivery date of water, and the city will need to pay for infrastructure to accept the water.

The river authority plans to seek a private partner with extensive experience in seawater desalination to finance, design, build, operate, and maintain the plant before transferring operations. The project requires several permits, including intake and discharge permits from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and two more from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Byrum also mentioned plans to apply for funding from the Texas Water Development Board for the designs of the desalination plant and a conveyance system, which will include 178 miles of pipe with an 84-inch main line. Water rates and their potential variation based on location are still to be determined.