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Brief of diving:
- Corpus Christi, Texas, Board members voted last week Pass all work at a dollars of desalination of $ 1,189 million Until August 26, when they plan to review the matter, Kris reported 6 news, after a long debate on the destination of the desalination plant of sea water from the inland port and alternative water supply options.
- The city chose Kiewit Infrastructure South Co., based in Texas, in October 2024 to design and build the The first desalination plant of the city’s sea water To serve as a drought -proof water supply for its growing population, $ 750 million was projected.
- The City Council voted a modification of the $ 50 million contract that allowed Kiewit to advance design work The 10% to 60% completion project shows the agenda of July 29, but several members of the Board wanted to make a decision. Kiewit warned the The delay could lead to an increase in costs and a longer line of time of the project, according to a letter obtained by 3news.
Divide vision:
Four members of the Council sent a letter to the Texas Water Development Board who asked if the state funding for the place of the domestic port could be redirected to other water projects if the city finally moved away, according to Kris 6 News. He also sought a clarity in the terms of loan refund and the availability of additional financing of subsidies.
During the meeting of July 29, Council member Eric Cantu filed a motion to stop the project for 30 days in order to give time to the state to respond. The delay occurs in the midst of increasing calls to explore alternatives to the project, although the city has spent almost $ 100 million so far, according to Kris 6 News. If the plant progresses as planned, it is expected to come online by 2028.
Desalination grows in popularity in the midst of worsening water shortages, but is still a less common method of treatment. Salt water processing for drinking water It is relatively expensive and requires significant energy and the process disrupts the environment both when the plant takes water and when it is downloaded brine, according to e & e news.
However, strengthening the water supply of the city is an urgent problem. Corpus Christi is currently in a stage 3 droughtThat is, most outdoor water use is restricted, according to the city’s water agency.
As a whole, Texas deals with fleeting pipes and old treatment plants stressed by a decreasing water supply, increasing demand and persistent droughts. State voters will soon decide a measure that would spend a billion dollars annually for 20 years to Tackling aged water infrastructureConservation and new water supplies.
