![\"In](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0526ac002f4ef1fce5eee4d8407f0816.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\nAs Corpus Christi city officials continue debate over the future of multiple desalination projects, a proposal to purchase a privately owned desalination plant is reemerging.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In this archive photo, a train is shown passing the Corpus Christi Polymers property Jan. 26, 2023.<\/p>\n
It has never been in operation, with construction reaching between 90% and 95%, said Nick Winkelmann, interim chief operating officer of Corpus Christi Water.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality records show Corpus Christi Polymers is currently permitted for water diversion and discharge.<\/p>\n
However, there would need to be adjustments to permitting \u2014 as well as capital improvements \u2014 should the plant\u2019s capacity be increased, according to the presentation made before the council.<\/p>\n
Additional state approval and permitting amendments would also be required if the plant were to generate potable water compared to raw water, Winkelmann said. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The plastics manufacturing plant, like the desalination plant, isn\u2019t in operation, city officials have said.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s operation.<\/p>\n