City Council Approves Contract to Enhance Water Treatment Plant
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (News Release) - Corpus Christi City Council approved a professional services contract with HDR, Inc. to evaluate and recommend solutions to strengthen the electrical resiliency of the O.N. Stevens Water Treatment Plant (ONSWTP) located in Council District 1.
The $144,199 contract will allow HDR, Inc., a Corpus Christi-based engineering firm, to review and assess AEP’s proposed infrastructure upgrades and the electrical distribution system within the plant. The evaluation will focus on solutions to reduce service interruptions and improve long-term reliability. Funding for the project will come from the FY 2025 Water Capital Fund.
“Our top priority is protecting the health and safety of our residents,” said Mayor Paulette Guajardo. “By strengthening the electrical reliability of the O.N. Stevens Water Treatment Plant, we are investing in critical infrastructure that ensures a safe and dependable water supply for our community today and for generations to come.”
“This investment in electrical infrastructure reliability will help us prevent service disruptions and position our facility to meet the city's growing demand,” said Drew Molly, Corpus Christi Water Chief Operating Officer. “Ensuring an uninterruptible power supply is important to maintaining reliable water service to our community.”
The ONSWTP, initially constructed in the 1950s, has undergone several expansions to meet the city’s growing water needs. Today, the plant treats approximately 35 billion gallons of water yearly and remains the city’s sole water treatment facility.
Maintaining reliable power at the ONSWTP is critical for ensuring a consistent minimum water pressure of 35 pounds per square inch (PSI) as required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Electrical outages can lead to pump shutdowns and pressure drops, which may cause backflow and allow contaminants to infiltrate the water supply—posing a serious risk to public health.
The anticipated completion date is February 2026.
Questions can also be directed to Strategic Business Manager Ashley Marion at 361-826-3706 or email ashleym6@cctexas.com.
