As Corpus Christi city officials continue debate over the future of multiple desalination projects, a proposal to purchase a privately owned desalination plant is reemerging.
More details are now available about the potential acquisition of a partially constructed desalination plant, presently owned by plastics resin manufacturer Corpus Christi Polymers LLC.
It is estimated that it would cost the city about $225 million to buy the plant, according to a presentation made before the council Oct. 14.
In this archive photo, a train is shown passing the Corpus Christi Polymers property Jan. 26, 2023.
It has never been in operation, with construction reaching between 90% and 95%, said Nick Winkelmann, interim chief operating officer of Corpus Christi Water.
It is believed that if it were completed, the desalination plant would be capable of producing as much as 9.4 million gallons of treated water per day, according to city staff.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality records show Corpus Christi Polymers is currently permitted for water diversion and discharge.
However, there would need to be adjustments to permitting — as well as capital improvements — should the plant’s capacity be increased, according to the presentation made before the council.
Additional state approval and permitting amendments would also be required if the plant were to generate potable water compared to raw water, Winkelmann said.
Expanding the plant to produce as much as 31.5 million gallons of treated water per day is estimated at about $654 million, according to a preliminary evaluation by a city-contracted engineering firm, with full buildout estimated at a little more than four years, the presentation stated.
Winkelmann cautioned the council that there are three owners of Corpus Christi Polymers, which would each need to express interest in selling the desalination plant.
It is also advised that, should the negotiations continue, the city perform an extensive evaluation of the conditions of the existing equipment, as well as its processes, according to officials.
The plastics manufacturing plant, like the desalination plant, isn’t in operation, city officials have said.
A spokeswoman for Corpus Christi Polymers declined to answer questions about the manufacturing plant’s status and whether an allocation of desalinated water would be needed for the facility’s operation.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Company may sell partly built desal plant to city of Corpus Christi