The Corpus Christi City Council has approved more than $400 million in funding for major groundwater projects aimed toward stabilizing the city’s shrinking water supply. The decision, finalized on Feb. 24, speeds up development of a brackish groundwater desalination plant, expands groundwater rights, and advances the long-debated Evangeline groundwater project.
City leaders say the investments are urgent. Updated supply models now suggest water curtailment could occur sooner than previously forecast, intensifying pressure to diversify sources past traditional reservoirs.
Why Corpus Christi Is Expanding Groundwater Projects
Reservoir Levels Continue to Decline
The combined storage capacity of Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon Reservoir—the city’s primary water sources—stood at roughly 9% as of Feb. 24. Meanwhile, Lake Texana, another contracted source, stood at about 60%, with estimates showing it could fall to 50% as early as April.
If Lake Texana drops to that threshold, Corpus Christi would face a 10% reduction in its contracted supply. Initially, officials anticipated curtailment might begin in November. However, City Manager Peter Zanoni recently informed council members that water shortages might materialize even sooner.
Nick Winkelmann, interim chief operating officer of Corpus Christi Water, stressed the urgency, stating that the projects are less about expansion and more about “buying time” to sustain critical supply.
Brackish Groundwater Desalination Plant
$175 Million Investment at O.N. Stevens Facility
A central component of the groundwater strategy is a $175 million containerized brackish groundwater desalination plant planned for the O.N. Stevens Water Treatment Plant.
The project includes a 13-mile pipeline that will transport up to 24 million gallons per day from the city’s Western Well Field in Nueces County to a treatment plant. Initially, the facility will produce about 4 million gallons of treated water daily. Over time, capacity could scale up to approximately 21 million gallons per day.
How Desalination Will Improve Water Quality
Water drawn from the 2,700-acre Western Well Field currently measures between 1,600 and 1,800 parts per million (ppm) in total dissolved solids. Through desalination treatment, officials expect to reduce that level to roughly 800 ppm—making the water more suitable for municipal use.
City staff is working with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to determine appropriate discharge methods. Potential options include evaporative ponds, injection wells, or a permitted surface discharge. The city has also submitted an application for a bed and banks permit, which would authorize water conveyance into the Nueces River.
Impact on Water Bills
Funding the brackish groundwater desalination plant will affect ratepayers. Estimates presented to the council indicate:
- Average residential customers using 6,000 gallons per month may see an increase of about $3.38.
- Typical commercial customers could pay approximately $11 more per month.
- Large industrial users may experience increases of up to $50,000.
City officials plan to seek up to $25 million in state grants to offset costs.
Evangeline Groundwater Project Moves Forward
$197 Million Allocated for Expansion
Nearly half of the total funding package—about $197 million—will support continued development of the Evangeline groundwater project. The proposal envisions pumping up to 24 million gallons of water per day from a 23,000-acre well field near Sinton in San Patricio County.
Of the allocated amount, approximately $182 million will fund capital expenses, including pumps, pipelines, and related infrastructure. Remaining funds will cover construction management and inspection services.
However, the project encounters regulatory uncertainty. Three entities, including the city of Sinton, have filed formal protests regarding transport and drilling permits. As a result, the schedule for full implementation remains unclear.
New Groundwater Rights at Li Ranch
$38 Million Designated for Acquisition
In addition to plant construction and Evangeline development, the city has earmarked up to $38 million to secure groundwater rights at Li Ranch, a 5,000-acre property located within the proposed Evangeline well field footprint.
Although negotiations are underway, landholders must first secure required permits for water rights, drilling, and transport before any final agreement can proceed. Without those approvals, the city cannot fully integrate Li Ranch into its groundwater supply strategy.
Diversifying Corpus Christi’s Water Portfolio
City officials argue that groundwater projects are essential to diversify Corpus Christi’s water portfolio and increase robustness during droughts. They claim that pumping and desalination can be conducted safely with proper oversight.
Nevertheless, critics have raised concerns about potential impacts on private wells and aquifer quality. As drilling and pumping expand, regulatory scrutiny from TCEQ and regional stakeholders will likely intensify.
What Happens Next?
With funding approved, city staff will advance permitting, finalize engineering plans, and pursue grant opportunities. Although implementation may take years, officials insist the investment is necessary to prevent severe curtailment and safeguard economic security.
As reservoir levels continue to decline, Corpus Christi’s groundwater projects constitute a crucial shift toward long-term water security. Whether the strategy ultimately resolves supply challenges will depend on regulatory outcomes, environmental safeguards, and sustained infrastructure investment.