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Council hears detailed water‑supply briefing: wells, Evangeline purchase, reuse and a Harbor Island desalination option
Summary
City staff and Corpus Christi Water presented a multi‑pronged water plan including Nueces River wellfields (current discharge up to 8 MGD; sustainable estimates East 10–11 MGD, West 17 MGD), an ongoing Evangeline groundwater purchase, industrial reuse planning, review of a partially built CC Polymers desalination plant, and potential participation in a 100 MGD Harbor Island seawater desalination project; staff set delivery targets and flagged permit, power and cost risks.
City staff and Corpus Christi Water (CCW) delivered an extensive update on near‑ and longer‑term water supplies as the city works to avoid curtailment. Nick Wingman, interim COO for CCW, opened with National Weather Service data showing watershed streamflows and rainfall well below normal and stressed that "we need extraordinary rainfall to make a dent in this drought." He summarized multiple project streams intended to add supply within months to years.
Nueces Groundwater Project: Wingman said the Eastern wellfield is discharging up to 8 MGD and the hydrogeologist’s sustainable estimates are ~10–11 MGD for the East and ~17 MGD for the Western wellfield; short‑term pumping from the West could rise higher while engineers refine data. Staff reported current expenditures of about $15.7M for the Eastern wellfield and ~$5.8M for the Western, plus a reported $5.8M state grant supporting Western work. Drilling and testing are underway for wells 9–12; permanent pumping equipment orders and waterline installation are in progress. CCW cautioned that a second Bennett Banks discharge permit will be needed to discharge additional water to the Nueces River and that TCEQ will scrutinize cumulative impacts.
Evangeline purchase and Merri Rhodes Pipeline (MRP) connection: CCW reported negotiations to purchase rights to ~22,789 acres of groundwater rights and associated wells, with a 120‑day due diligence period and seller responsibilities to deliver non‑appealable permits. Staff said the project’s target is partial delivery into the Mary Rhodes pipeline in November 2026 (estimated ~12 MGD partial delivery and up to ~24 MGD full buildout), contingent on permits, easements, power and construction scheduling.
Seawater desalination and CC Polymers: Wingman reviewed several desalination possibilities. The Nueces River Authority (NRA) is advancing a Harbor Island 100 MGD seawater desalination project; NRA will issue RFQs and seek P3 partners, and staff will ask council for a non‑refundable reservation (option) fee for water rights and design input. CCW is also reviewing an existing CC Polymers desalination facility on the ship channel that may be upgradable to provide tens of MGD subject to condition assessments and permitting.
Wastewater reuse and industrial fit: CCW emphasized industrial reuse as a near‑term option that avoids the longer TCEQ processes required for potable reuse. Staff said they are in active talks with potential industrial users and expect some effluent reuse (10–16 MGD combined potential) to come online in 2026 depending on agreements and conveyance design.
Questions and requests from council focused on permit timelines (Bennett Banks for additional discharge), power availability to energize wells (permanent transmission upgrades expected in phases; partial power by year‑end), TDS ranges for various sources (Eastern wells higher TDS ~3,300; Western wells ~1,650–1,700), and the need for a clearer supply‑vs‑demand outlook and updated drought contingency plan. Staff agreed to provide weekly supply/demand outlooks for transparency and to include updates on the Inner Harbor/desalination funding question after the city’s letter to the Texas Water Development Board.
