City Council Advances $17.8 Million Federal Grant to Replace Water Lines

City of Corpus Christi

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (News Release) - Recently, the Corpus Christi City Council approved a first reading ordinance accepting a $17,830,308 grant from the U.S. Department of War, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, to replace aging water infrastructure along the Leopard Street and Up River Road corridor.

The funding comes through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Defense Community Infrastructure Program, which supports community infrastructure projects critical to military readiness.

“This is great news for Corpus Christi. I applaud the city and extend my appreciation to the Department of War and the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation for this significant $17.83 million investment,” Congressman Michael Cloud said. “This federal investment will help modernize and strengthen the city’s water infrastructure that is critical to supplying water for both NAS Corpus Christi and the Corpus Christi Army Depot. This is a project that will benefit both our military mission and the people who call Corpus Christi home.”

Corpus Christi was one of 26 communities in the nation selected for this funding. This is the first time the City has received a grant through the program.

The total cost of the Leopard Street and Up River Road Water Line Replacement is $25,471,869. The federal grant covers 70 percent of the project, and Corpus Christi Water (CCW) will provide the required 30 percent match of $7,641,561 from the Water Capital Fund.

The project was previously included in the City’s FY 2027 Capital Budget and was planned to be funded through revenue bonds. By accepting this grant, CCW and its ratepayers will avoid issuing more than $17.8 million in debt that would otherwise be needed to complete the work.

The ordinance requires approval on two readings, and the City Council is scheduled to take a final vote on October 27.