Corpus Christi Approves Two Major Water Supply Agreements

City of Corpus Christi

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (News Release) - Corpus Christi City Council approved two agreements to expand the City’s immediate and long-term water supply.

The City Council approved a $169.5 million Groundwater Rights Purchase and Sale Agreement with Evangeline/Laguna, LP, along with related agreements with the City of Sinton and the St. Paul Water Supply Corporation. 

This agreement includes the purchase of 24 million gallons of groundwater rights. The first phase, which will produce 12 million gallons daily (MGD), is expected to be online by November 2026.

The Evangeline Project has been in the planning phase for decades. With this Council action, the project will soon move into the design and construction phase. Pre-engineering is underway with three engineering firms already doing work on initial design.

Before closing, the sellers will work to obtain transportation and drilling rights permits. Pre-engineering and hydrogeologic modeling are underway to support the well field design, pipeline alignment, and integration with the Mary Rhodes Pipeline system.

The City Council also authorized an agreement with the Nueces River Authority (NRA) to reserve water from the proposed Harbor Island Seawater Desalination Plant. The $2.7 million option secures 50 million gallons of water per day (MGD), once the plant is operational. 

The NRA developed the “New Water for South Texas Plan” to help meet the region's growing water demands. The plan includes a seawater desalination water treatment plant and pipeline system, starting at 100 MGD. The proposal aligns with the Texas Legislature’s emphasis on larger regional projects that address multiple cities and water districts.

These projects support the City’s immediate and long-term strategy to secure reliable and sustainable water supplies for regional growth.