Council authorizes negotiations with AquaTech on CC Polymer desalination; staff outlines multiple short- and mid-term water options

The Corpus Christi City Council on March 24 authorized staff to negotiate a water-sale agreement with AquaTech International for treated potable water from the CC Polymer desalination facility, following a presentation by AquaTech CEO D. V. Sharma.

AquaTech proposed a phased approach that would restart the existing plant and deliver an initial 9.4 million gallons per day (MGD) within about a year of a signed contract, with a possible increase to roughly 12.5–14 MGD in subsequent phases. During discussion, staff said AquaTech’s early, nonbinding price indications were approximately $7.50 per 1,000 gallons; council authorized staff to negotiate a contract and return it to council for approval.

"We can develop the existing desalination plant and expand it and provide, through phases, desalinated water to the city, starting with 9.4 MGD," AquaTech’s CEO said. City COO Nick Winkelmann told council staff would analyze the operational, permitting and conveyance requirements and the fiscal impact of negotiated rates before the council approved any final agreement.

Separately, staff briefed council on multiple supply tracks intended to reduce near-term reliance on surface reservoirs. The western groundwater wellfield began limited pumping in mid-March and staff reported an instantaneous increase in production to roughly 4.5 MGD from initial wells; managers expected about 6 MGD within days and forecast four wells online by end of March and up to six by mid-April, with the full wellfield targeted for operation by the end of May. Staff stressed ongoing monitoring of water levels and water-quality parameters and the need for subsidence and groundwater monitoring stations.

Engineering and procurement work continues on a planned brackish-groundwater reverse-osmosis treatment facility and conveyance (design and procurement underway; initial treated flows targeted in winter months next year). City staff also summarized wastewater-reuse conveyance design and multiple industrial reuse deals in progress that, if completed, could deliver several MGD of reclaimed water to industrial users and reduce municipal demand.

Council members emphasized permitting and timing uncertainties, asked staff to model the rate and budget impact of any negotiated water purchase, and encouraged rapid but careful work to maximize near-term delivered volumes. The motion to authorize negotiations with AquaTech passed; staff will return a draft contract with rate and performance terms for council approval.