Corpus Christi trades infrastructure funding for water rights in drought-driven deal

Corpus Christi trades infrastructure funding for water rights in drought-driven dealThe Texas city will reimburse a neighboring district $1.7 million for interconnection costs to mitigate salinity spikes from emergency groundwater wells, securing 5 MGD in surface water rights in return.

City Council authorized a three-year contract with Nueces County Water Control and Improvement District No. 3, including $1.736 million for interconnection infrastructure.

The agreement addresses high Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) levels in the District's intake caused by the City's upstream discharge of brackish groundwater.

In exchange for the infrastructure investment, Corpus Christi leases 5 million gallons per day (MGD) of the District's senior water rights.

City staff confirmed the deal avoids potential legal challenges regarding interference with the District's senior water rights.

The Corpus Christi City Council has approved a resolution authorizing a three-year treated water supply contract and water rights lease agreement with Nueces County Water Control and Improvement District No. 3 (the District). The deal is designed to mitigate water quality issues arising from the City’s drought response strategies while securing additional surface water rights. Under the terms of the agreement, Corpus Christi will reimburse the District up to $1.736 million for the construction of an interconnection and blending tank. In exchange, the City secures a lease for 5 million gallons per day (MGD) of the District's water rights. The agreement was necessitated by Corpus Christi's activation of emergency groundwater wells along the Nueces River to combat ongoing drought conditions. City Manager Peter Zanoni acknowledged that the groundwater discharge has increased Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) levels in the river, impacting the District’s downstream intake. "This could impact Robstown's water system," Zanoni told the Council, describing the deal as a "regional approach to mitigating this drought." During public comment, a resident of Nueces County noted that TDS readings at their tap had averaged 1,599 mg/L in January, rendering the water unsuitable for consumption without advanced treatment. Interim Chief Operating Officer Nick Winkelman confirmed that the City is currently seeing TDS levels around 1,500 mg/L at its own plant, compared to a historical average of 700 mg/L. The agreement stipulates that Corpus Christi will provide treated water to the District when TDS levels at the District's plant exceed 1,000 mg/L. Council discussion highlighted the strategic necessity of the expenditure. A Council member noted that without the interconnect, the City could face lawsuits for interfering with the District's senior water rights due to the high-salinity discharge. "If we did not provide them an interconnect, they could sue us because we're interfering with their water rights," the Council member stated. The deal also includes a provision where the District agrees not to object to the City’s bed and banks permit or transport rights. The $1.7 million cost will be funded by ratepayers across the seven-county region served by the utility.