This audio is automatically generated. Please let us know if you have any comments.
Corpus Christi chose Kiewit Infrastructure South Co. 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 city press release.
The Inner Harbor Seawater Desalination Treatment Plant project aims to alleviate water shortage for Corpus Christi water customers in seven area counties, according to the project’s website, and will produce up to 30 million gallons of water per day. Currently, Corpus Christi’s four sources of surface water rely solely on rainfall.
Last year, Texas lawmakers agreed to one $1 billion plan for new water projects and repair aging infrastructure, although the cost to fully serve the state’s water needs is much higher. According to the Texas Tribune, Texas is grappling with leaky pipes and aging treatment plants stressed by dwindling water supplies, more demand and extreme weather such as persistent droughts.
Texas isn’t alone in improving its water systems: A number of major AEC companies have reported strong demand for water infrastructure projects in the last calls for results.
Desalination is growing in popularity amid worsening water scarcity, but remains a less common treatment method. Processing saltwater for drinking water is relatively expensive and requires significant energy, and the process disrupts the environment both when the plant takes in water and when it dumps brine, according to E&E News.
Progressive design-build
The chosen company is a subsidiary of Omaha, Neb.-based Kiewit Corp., established 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, made up of CDM Smith and Ferrovial-owned PLW Waterworks.
The city will now begin negotiations with Kiewit for the progressive design-build contract, according to the release. If the parties can’t reach an agreement, the city will move on to the next highest bidder, Corpus Christi Desalination Partners. A notice to proceed is expected at the beginning of December, according to the statement.
In July, the Texas Water Development Board approved the city’s request for $535.1 million in multi-year funding through the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas 2024 program for project planning, procurement, design and construction.
Design and construction work is expected to begin in 2025, with project completion set for 2028, according to the project’s website.
