Council approves due diligence and purchase agreement to secure Evangeline groundwater rights; experts outline modeling and monitoring needs

The Corpus Christi City Council voted to move forward with a purchase-and-due-diligence agreement for groundwater rights covering roughly 22,789 acres in San Patricio County that, if transferred, would give the city access to a reported 24 million gallons per day (MGD) of Evangeline aquifer water.

The council authorized staff to complete a 120-day inspection period and a longer due-diligence timeline tied to permit transfers and surface-use agreements; the city agreed to an upfront, nonrefundable earnest payment and an escrow arrangement that would be credited against a final purchase price the council cited in public discussion as about $169.5 million.

Why it matters: Council members and staff described the Evangeline purchase as a fast-moving option to add large, drought‑resistant supply to the city’s portfolio. Hydrogeologists who briefed the council said the San Patricio area holds higher‑quality aquifer sands than many coastal zones, but extracting that water requires careful well design, detailed groundwater flow modeling and long‑term monitoring to avoid subsidence or impacts to nearby domestic wells.

What the council approved: The ordinance before the council authorizes (1) execution of a groundwater-rights purchase-and-sale agreement with Evangeline Laguna LP, (2) an interlocal cooperation agreement with the city of Sinton to allow mutual access and remediation assistance, and (3) an associated resolution authorizing tax‑exempt borrowings to reimburse capital outlays if the purchase closes. Council members voted to approve the package after two hours of presentations and public comment; final…