Corpus Christi advances $665m Evangeline groundwater project despite permit delays

Corpus Christi advances $665m Evangeline groundwater project despite permit delaysRacing to avert a Level 1 water emergency, the Corpus Christi City Council has approved major construction and land use contracts for a critical groundwater expansion, even as neighboring protests threaten to stall the project.

The City Council approved a $187.8 million CMAR contract amendment with Garney Companies for transmission mains, pump stations, and site work.

Council members also authorized an amended $169.5 million groundwater rights purchase agreement, alongside $12 million for surface use agreements.

The project's drilling permits face protests from the City of Sinton, which could trigger a two-year contested case hearing if an administrative law judge grants standing.

City staff aim to deliver 4 MGD of water to the Mary Rhodes Pipeline by November 2026 to mitigate severe drought conditions.

Corpus Christi is pushing forward with its estimated $665.2 million Evangeline/San Patricio County Groundwater Program, approving massive construction and land use contracts as the city races to stave off a severe water shortage. During a March 17 meeting, the City Council approved a $187.8 million Construction Manager-At-Risk (CMAR) contract amendment with Garney Companies. The amendment covers the installation of 30 to 35 miles of transmission mains, connections to 24 wells, the construction of a temporary pump station, and a connection to the Mary Rhodes Pipeline. The council also approved an $8.9 million agreement with AEP Texas for electrical infrastructure and nearly $12 million for surface use agreements. Concurrently, the council authorized an amended $169.5 million groundwater rights purchase agreement with Evangeline Laguna LP, reflecting survey adjustments and increased surface damage costs. Despite the financial commitments, the city has not yet secured the necessary drilling permits from the San Patricio Groundwater Conservation District. The permitting process has been delayed by protests, notably from the neighboring City of Sinton. An administrative law judge is expected to hold a preliminary hearing in the coming weeks to determine if the protesters have standing. City Manager Peter Zanoni acknowledged the strategy is a "calculated risk." If the protests lead to a contested case hearing, officials warned the project could face delays of at least two years. However, pausing the project could jeopardize the city's ability to combat its worsening drought. "The alternative is to not do anything, maybe lose Garney and lose the engineer of record and wait and just continue to wait to get the permits," Zanoni told the council. "We're recommending we take a calculated strategic direction, which is one of finishing the design and beginning the construction in about five weeks." The region's surface water supplies have plummeted, with Lake Corpus Christi dropping below 10% capacity. By advancing construction on pipelines and access roads now, the city hopes to begin delivering 4 million gallons per day (MGD) from the Evangeline well field by November 2026, assuming the permits are granted. If the administrative law judge grants standing to the protesters, city staff plan to return to the council with revised options, which could include slowing the project down or renegotiating the water rights purchase.