City officials say a proposed $28 million water rights purchase along the Nueces River depends on whether wells can produce enough water to offset losses.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Corpus Christi City Council members will decide Tuesday whether to approve a $28 million deal to purchase water rights to a large tract of land along the Nueces River, a move city leaders say could help stabilize the City’s shrinking water supply.
The 2,400-acre property sits along Highway 624 near Farm-to-Market Road 666. If approved, it would become the City’s third water rights site along the Nueces River, allowing groundwater to be pumped from an underground aquifer and discharged directly into the river.
City Manager Peter Zanoni said the investment only makes sense if the well field can produce between 10 and 20 million gallons of water per day enough to help offset losses from the City’s two western reservoirs.
Corpus Christi Water Chief Operating Officer Nick Winkleman said preliminary hydrological studies are already underway.
“We’re doing some initial studies to better identify locations for wells on the property and having our hydrogeologist look at potential yield,” Winkleman said.
The site already includes six existing wells drilled by the property’s current owners. According to Zanoni, each well is capable of producing up to one million gallons of water per day.
Some City Council members, however, are raising concerns about the impact on surrounding communities.
Councilwoman Carolyn Vaughn questioned whether enough research has been done to ensure nearby residents, farmers and ranchers won’t be affected.
“We need to take into consideration the people who live out there, the farmers, the ranchers, the whole community,” Vaughn said. “They depend on groundwater. What studies have been done? Because I haven’t seen anything that tells me they can just go and do that.”
Councilman Roland Barrera echoed those concerns but said the project is not intended as a long-term fix.
“This is just a temporary solution,” Barrera said. “We’re applying for bed and banks permits and looking to diversify our water sources. This one has more certainty than other projects and could provide consistent water until desalination comes online.”
The property is located next to the City’s western well field, where pipeline construction is finally underway. Crews are installing underground pipes that will eventually carry water to the Nueces River.
City officials also confirmed they expect a full cost estimate for the City’s second Inner Harbor desalination project within the next few weeks.
City Council is scheduled to vote on the water rights proposal Tuesday.