Blue Ribbon Task Force Calls for an "All of the Above" Approach to Developing Additional Reliable Water Supplies for the Region
December 26, 2013
A Blue Ribbon Task Force on water supply has recommended that the multi-county region surrounding Corpus Christi move forward with multiple water supply options as part of a new 40-year integrated plan.
The task force gave strong support in October to completion of the Mary Rhodes Pipeline Phase II which will allow delivery of 35,000 acre feet of water per year from the Colorado River to customers in the regional system managed by the City of Corpus Christi. It will provide a more diversified supply with water coming from three different river basins -- the Nueces, Navidad and Colorado.
ADVOCATING AN “ALL OF THE ABOVE” STRATEGY
The task force also recommended that additional capacity in the Mary Rhodes Pipeline be utilized to potentially transport ground water supplies in the future. Without targeting a specific source, the task force recommended pursuing area groundwater supplies and desalination of brackish ground water as possible steps toward drought proofing. Previous water planning efforts have identified ground water supplies at or near drinking water quality in north central San Patricio County. The City of Sinton is the largest community in the region that depends exclusively on ground water.
The Blue Ribbon Task Force concluded that seawater desalination is expensive and that brine concentrate disposal is challenging but that Corpus Christi is a favorable location for it in the future. A single-user industrial desalination facility is under study by M&G Resins at a site on the Port of Corpus Christi Inner Harbor.
Task force members recommended creation of a dynamic, integrated water development plan built as an extension of the Texas Water Development Board Region N Water Plan. They urged the development of firm financing strategies for capital needs and operational costs; establishment of a schedule and priorities for projects; and creation of equitable and fair water pricing mechanisms across regional water user groups.
Other recommendations included that the region:
>> Should be prepared to gear up staffing for water supply planning and project development.
>> Consider a new administrative structure for regional water supply development with a dedicated staff rather than being part of the Corpus Christi Water Department which must focus much of its resources on the city’s extensive drinking water distribution system.
>> Should involve regional communities and industrial customers in all planning and decisions.
>> Be prepared to provide additional dedicated funding for project planning and development.
Initial members of the Task Force include Chairman Bob Furgason, former president of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; Frank Brogan, managing director of the Port of Corpus Christi Authority; Bill Hennings, former Corpus Christi city manager; Joe Mueller, petroleum engineer; and Jim Naismith, former general manager of the San Patricio Municipal Water District. Members added in the fall of 2013 include Bob Barger, DuPont plant manager; Paul Orser, TAMU-CC vice president; Valerie Pompa, Flint Hills Resources manager; and Randy Tatum, LyondellBasell manager. The task force was appointed by the mayor of Corpus Christi.
On December 10, the Corpus Christi Port Commission adopted a Strategic Plan which includes a commitment by the Port Authority to help facilitate the efforts of regional parties to increase water supplies available to industry and Coastal Bend communities. The plan notes that long-term reliable water supplies are pivotal in many industrial investment decisions, both for new manufacturers and expansion of existing port industries.
