Three companies will be invited to submit proposals for a $757.6 million seawater desalination plant in Corpus Christi, Texas. The city council recently voted to approve the list and authorize staff to execute a contract with the company of choice for the progressive design-build project.
The city intends to build the project on a site in the Inner Harbor Ship Channel, which stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to the Port of Corpus Christi. The plant would be capable of producing 30 million gallons of water per day, with intake and discharge to the canal.
Corpus Christi Water supplies water to about 500,000 people. It has four sources of surface water, but they are dependent on the railway and all treated in one plant. Drew Molly, its chief operating officer, said during the June 25 city council meeting that the desalination plant is needed to “ensure a drought-proof water supply.”
Four teams submitted qualifications in response to an RFP the city issued in March, and the project’s procurement team shortlisted two joint venture teams and one independent prime contractor.
The JV teams are: Corpus Christi Desal Partners, which includes Acciona Agua and MasTec Industrial; Corpus Christi Desalination Team, which includes CDM Smith and PLW Water; and Kiewit Infrastructure South Co., bidding alone.
Corpus Christi Water aims to issue a request for proposals to shortlisted bidders on July 8, with the intention of making a selection in October and completing contract negotiations in January, said Josh Chronley, director of purchasing of the company, at the board meeting.
The city council authorized Corpus Christi Water to execute a $138 million contract with the selected bidder that would cover preconstruction services, design and ordering of equipment with long lead times, such as reverse osmosis membranes high pressure, Molly said.
Corpus Christi Water aims to begin construction in 2025, with substantial completion in late 2027.
The council also voted at the meeting to amend a preconstruction professional services agreement with Freese and Nichols, worth up to $12 million. The company is helping with environmental assessments and permits, as well as project oversight and technical assistance.
The city is also studying a second desalination plant that would draw water from the La Quinta Canal and have a capacity of 40 million gallons per day. The two plants would nearly double the amount of water produced by Corpus Christi Water, according to the company.
