City of Corpus Christi | Media Briefing Water Supply Initiative March 27, 2026

The City of Corpus Christi held a media briefing on March 27, 2026, to provide updates on its water supply initiatives amid ongoing drought conditions. City Manager Peter Zenoni detailed progress on multiple groundwater projects in Nueces and San Patricio counties, including the eastern and western wellfields and the Evangeline groundwater project, which is currently 60% designed and facing permit challenges. The city council has authorized staff to negotiate a take-or-pay contract with Aquatech to operate and finish out a desalination facility at Corpus Christi Polymers, aiming to supply up to 14 million gallons of seawater desalinated water. The briefing also covered regional water management efforts, upcoming city council workshops on water rate changes and drought management policies, and the status of environmental studies related to desalination discharge. The city emphasized collaboration with regional partners and clarified misinformation regarding water rights and reservoir management. Several procurement-related actions were noted, including the $28 million water rights purchase pending due diligence, contract approvals for conveyance construction by the Nueces River Authority, and the forthcoming selection of a design-build-operate partner for a desalination facility. The briefing highlighted ongoing negotiations, permit processes, and planned public engagement to address water supply challenges.