HomeMy WebLinkAbout033890 RES - 03/17/2026RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS,
AMENDING THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDAS; RECOGNIZING
THE HISTORIC DROUGHT IMPACTING THE COASTAL BEND; AND IDENTIFYING
THE CITY'S DIVERSIFIED WATER SUPPLY STRATEGY INCLUDING GROUND
WATER, WASTEWATER REUSE, BRACKISH WATER AND SEAWATER
DESALINATION INITIATIVES.
WHEREAS, the Coastal Bend region is experiencing a historic and prolonged
drought that has significantly reduced combined reservoir levels, thereby impacting the
City of Corpus Christi and its role as the regional water supplier for seven (7) counties
through Corpus Christi Water and demonstrating the long term instability of reliance on
surface water as the primary sources for sustainable water supply; and
WHEREAS, the City of Corpus Christi must continue to secure immediate water
resources to remediate the shortfall and ensure supply meets demand, and pursue short
and long-term, diversified, drought -resilient water supply strategies to ensure the
reliability, sustainability, and economic vitality of the region; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes Governor Abbott and the Texas Legislature,
specifically our legislative delegation of Senators and Representatives, for their
leadership, including a historic direct appropriation initiated by Representative Villalobos'
request, resulting in $16 million for upgrades to the Mary Rhodes Pipeline and $30 million
for the development of the Nueces County Groundwater Program; and
WHEREAS, on February 17, 2026, City staff publicly informed the City Council of
the City's intent to pursue a $25 million Texas Water Development Board Water Supply
and Infrastructure Grant (WISG) Program award to advance brackish reverse -osmosis
water supply development; and
WHEREAS, City Council approved $2.7 million in water reservation fees for 50
mgd from the Nueces River Authority Harbor Island Desalination project, and City
leadership and representatives of the Nueces River Authority traveled to Washington,
D.C., on January 20-21, 2026, to advocate for federal funding ; and
WHEREAS, the City appreciates Congressman Michael Cloud's leadership in
working with President Donald J. Trump to secure a commitment toward the City's $500
million request for the Inner Harbor Seawater Desalination Treatment Plant; and
WHEREAS, City staff continue to work closely with Congressional leaders on the
development of Community Project Funding Appropriations Requests to secure federal
appropriations for ground water, wastewater reuse, brackish and seawater desalination
projects for water supply needs; and
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WHEREAS, City leadership will bring forward a resolution for City Council to direct
staff to collaborate with CPS Energy for options to develop a desalination facility at Barney
Davis; and
WHEREAS, the City will identify additional avenues to provide grants and low -
interest loans to finance the construction and provide reimbursement on emergency
projects like the Evangeline Groundwater program, Nueces groundwater development,
and conveyance infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, continued collaboration with federal and state policymakers is
essential to securing the funding, regulatory support, and legislative authority necessary
to permit, develop, and finance water supply projects, including groundwater, water reuse,
brackish and seawater desalination, and water conveyance systems.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, THAT:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby recognizes and expresses its sincere appreciation
to federal and state lawmakers for their ongoing partnership and for the significant
financial assistance already secured to advance and diversify regional water supply
projects.
SECTION 2. The City Council updates the City's federal and state legislative agendas to
continue pursuing the funding, legislation, and regulatory support necessary to permit,
develop, and fund water supply projects, including but not limited to groundwater
development, wastewater reuse, brackish and seawater desalination, and water
conveyance infrastructure.
SECTION 3. City staff are directed to prioritize working with federal and state
policymakers, agencies, and regional partners to identify, pursue, and secure all available
funding opportunities, legislation, and regulatory support for water supply projects that will
provide water the quickest for the city's efforts to avoid water use curtailment.
Section 4. City staff are further directed to continue working collaboratively with federal
and state policymakers, agencies, and regional partners to identify, pursue, and secure
all available funding opportunities and legislative mechanisms that support the Corpus
Christi Water's long-term water supply diversification strategies.
and APPROVED on the n day of M.GVaN , 2026.
Pau ette Guajardo,
ATTE
RebccHuerta, City Secretary
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