Corpus Christi approves $1m Evangeline groundwater lease
City of Corpus Christi Water Department, Texas · Meeting date: October 27, 2026 · Published: October 28, 2026
The City Council has authorised a one-year, automatically renewable lease with Evangeline Laguna LP for two permitted production wells. The early supply is intended both to add water to the system and to generate groundwater data for the wider 24mgd project.
Key points
- The lease carries an initial $1 million payment from the FY2027 Water Capital Fund and covers two existing permitted wells.
- Each well is permitted for 1,500 gallons per minute; Corpus Christi Water expects combined production of 3–4mgd.
- Water will enter the Mary Rhodes pipeline and remain in San Patricio County, supplying the San Patricio Municipal Water District downstream.
- The wells will be accompanied by five test wells, producing data intended to inform the groundwater conservation district and the city's contested-case proceedings.
Full report
Corpus Christi City Council has approved a $1 million lease for groundwater rights from Evangeline Laguna LP, moving the city into an initial production phase of a much larger groundwater supply project despite opposition from members who questioned the speed and basis of the decision.
The one-year agreement, which includes automatic renewals, covers two existing non-exempt permitted production wells. Corpus Christi Water expects the wells to yield a combined 3–4mgd. Each is permitted for 1,500 gallons per minute, or roughly 2mgd.
The initial payment is funded from the FY2027 Water Capital Fund. Corpus Christi Water’s chief operating officer said the water would be charged at $0.80 per 1,000 gallons, with any balance remaining from the $1 million fund credited towards the eventual purchase of the water rights.
The city is constructing conveyance infrastructure sized for up to 24mgd from the wider 24,000-acre Evangeline project. However, staff said beginning production from the two already permitted wells would provide groundwater data that is currently unavailable from the project itself. Five test wells will accompany the production wells.
That information is expected to be useful to the groundwater conservation district, the city and a contested-case proceeding. The City Manager said the data would address concerns that pumping could produce adverse effects, while providing information to rural communities in the area.
Water from the two wells will be introduced into the Mary Rhodes pipeline. Staff said it will remain within San Patricio County and flow to the San Patricio Municipal Water District downstream, meaning no permit is required to transport it beyond county boundaries.
The decision prompted debate over whether councillors had been given sufficient time and information before the item returned to the agenda. One council member said he was not opposed to the project permanently, but would not support the lease because he had understood it would not be considered at this meeting. Another argued that the city should not spend further funds without adequate studies.
Utility staff responded that the city has been meeting weekly with Evangeline Laguna LP and with Pape Dawson and Garney, which are working on the project. They said the two-well production phase was a practical way to secure an initial 3–4mgd and obtain real project-specific data while the broader scheme proceeds.
Council members also called for more regular public briefings on the city’s supply portfolio, including the Seven Seas/Chapman Ranch discussions, CC Polymers and floating solar-panel proposals. The City Manager said staff would either bring a Seven Seas contract or provide an update at the November 10 council meeting.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: City Council, City of Corpus Christi Water Department