The city’s also thinking about putting down a reservation fee for water from the Harbor Island project
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The push to secure new drinking water for Corpus Christi took another step Monday as city leaders met with the Nueces River Authority to talk desalination and money.
At the center of it all: a $2.7 million non-refundable “reservation fee.” That’s what the River Authority wants from the city to lock in up to 50 million gallons a day from a future desalination plant on Harbor Island.
City Manager Peter Zanoni said he’s all for moving quickly but wants to make sure taxpayers get something in return.
“We want action, our community wants action and every day matters,” Zanoni said.
The city is hoping the River Authority might credit that $2.7 million against future water bills once the plant is up and running. Possibly years down the road.
“If we pay 2.7 million and they build the plant ultimately… could the city get a credit back on our monthly take-and-pay bills over time?” Zanoni asked.
But Nueces River Authority Executive Director John Byrum said that decision isn’t his to make.
“We’re open to those ideas, but it’s a policy decision made by our 21-member board,” Byrum said.
While that debate plays out, Zanoni says the city is also eyeing another option, buying the CC Polymers desalination plant outright. Instead of paying for water, Corpus Christi would own the facility and control production itself.
“We’re going to talk to City Council and submit a letter of interest to CC Polymers to show we’re serious about buying the facility,” Zanoni said.
Both desal projects could help guarantee Corpus Christi’s water future. The CC Polymers plan would cost in the ballpark of 650 million dollars according to the city manager.