Corpus Christi picked Kiewit Infrastructure South Co. to design and build the city’s first seawater desalination plant in order to create a drought-proof water supply for its growing population, according to an Oct. 4 news release from the city.
The Inner Harbor Seawater Desalination Treatment Plant project aims to relieve water scarcity for Corpus Christi Water customers across seven counties in the area, according to the project website, and will produce up to 30 million gallons of water per day. Currently, Corpus Christi’s four surface water sources depend solely on rainfall.
Last year, Texas lawmakers agreed on a $1 billion plan for new water projects and to repair aging infrastructure, though the cost to fully address the state’s water needs is much higher. Texas is dealing with leaky pipes and old treatment plants stressed by a dwindling water supply, more demand and extreme weather such as persisting droughts, according to the Texas Tribune.
Texas is not alone in upgrading its water systems: A slew of major AEC firms have reported strong demand for water infrastructure projects in recent earnings calls.
Desalination is growing in popularity amid worsening water scarcity, but it remains a less common treatment method. Processing saltwater for drinking water is relatively costly and requires significant energy, and the process disturbs the environment both when the plant takes in water and when it discharges brine, according to E&E News.
Progressive design-build
The chosen firm is a subsidiary of Omaha, Nebraska-based Kiewit Corp., created in 1969 to specialize in complex water and wastewater treatment projects. Kiewit beat out two other competitors for the contract: Corpus Christi Desalination Partners, made up of Acciona and MasTec, and Corpus Christi Desalination Team, composed of CDM Smith and Ferrovial-owned PLW Waterworks.
The city will now start negotiations with Kiewit for the progressive design-build contract, according to the release. If the parties can’t come to an agreement, the city will move to the next-highest ranked bidder, Corpus Christi Desalination Partners. A notice to proceed is anticipated in early December, per the release.
In July, the Texas Water Development Board approved the city’s application for $535.1 million in multi-year financing through the 2024 State Water Implementation Fund for Texas program for project planning, acquisition, design and construction.
Design and construction work are anticipated to start in 2025, with project completion set for 2028, according to the project website.
