Emergency water supply to secure the city’s future

The Corpus Christi containerized brackish water desalination project was developed to address a critical water supply emergency affecting the city and the surrounding region.

Prolonged drought conditions and historically low reservoir levels placed Corpus Christi at risk of severe water shortages, threatening public health, economic activity and community resilience. This project was conceived as a fast-track solution to reinforce the city’s water supply while longer-term infrastructure projects are developed.

Project objective

The primary objective of the project is to:

• Provide a reliable, drought-resilient source of drinking water
• Mitigate the immediate risk of water shortages
• Strengthen water security for residents, businesses and essential services
• Deliver additional supply quickly, through a phased and scalable approach
• Support the City of Corpus Christi during a period of exceptional water stress

By treating locally available brackish groundwater, the project creates a new, dependable water source that reduces reliance on overstretched reservoirs and increases the city’s resilience to climate variability.

A critical short- and medium-term solution

The project was designed as an emergency response measure, allowing the city to begin increasing available water supply within its first year, while ensuring a stable and sustainable contribution to the overall system once fully implemented.

Its phased deployment enables the city to:

• Respond rapidly to urgent water needs
• Maintain continuity of service during extreme drought conditions
• Protect long-term social and economic stability

Strategic value for the city

The Corpus Christi desalination project plays a strategic role by:

• Enhancing water supply reliability
• Supporting long-term planning and resilience
• Providing flexibility during periods of stress or emergency

It represents a practical example of how alternative water resources can support cities facing increasing climate and demand pressures.

Key project facts

• Location: Corpus Christi, Texas (USA)
• Project type: Emergency desalination project for water security
• Context: Historic drought, with main reservoirs below 10% capacity
• Public framework: Strategic project approved by the City of Corpus Christi
• Infrastructure: Containerized brackish water desalination plant at the O.N. Stevens facility
• Water source: Local brackish groundwater

Treatment capacity:

• Up to 24 million gallons per day (MGD) of raw water treated
• Up to 21 MGD of drinking water integrated into the municipal system

Deployment timeline:

• Initial water production within the first year from project start
• Phased capacity increase through modular deployment
• Full production reached within 24 months

• Operational model: Design, construction and five-year operation by Aqualia
• Local platform: Delivered through Municipal District Services (MDS), Aqualia’s Texas operator
• Strategic value: Weather-independent supply strengthening resilience for residents, industry and critical economic activity

At full capacity, the plant will deliver enough drinking water to cover the equivalent of approximately 66 gallons per person per day, providing a critical buffer against drought conditions for the City of Corpus Christi.