Corpus Christi water desalination project cost rises to $997 million – KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi

 

Report on the Corpus Christi Seawater Desalination Initiative and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A revised cost model for the Inner Harbor Water Treatment Campus (IHWTC) in Corpus Christi, Texas, has been completed, indicating a significant increase in projected costs. This report details the updated financial projections, the project management methodology, and the initiative’s critical alignment with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning clean water, sustainable infrastructure, and climate action.

Financial Overview and Cost Projections

Updated Cost Estimates

The cost model, based on 10% design completion by the Progressive Design Build firm Kiewit, presents a substantial revision from previous estimates. The current financial breakdown is as follows:

• Inner Harbor Water Treatment Campus (IHWTC) Construction Cost: $997 million
• Total Project Cost (including planning, design, administration): $1.189 billion
• Previous Estimates: The project was initially estimated at $541 million in January 2024, later revised to approximately $758 million.

The current model is a Class 4 estimate, which has an industry-standard accuracy range of +50% to -30%. This implies final construction costs could range from $698 million to $1.5 billion, pending further design refinement.

Economic Impact and Mitigation

The revised costs will affect water rates. The projected average monthly increase for residential ratepayers is estimated at $11.38 by 2029. This is an increase of $1.42 from the $9.96 estimate presented in June 2024. For large volume water users, the estimated monthly increase is approximately $463,000.

A potential mitigation measure is a pending grant application with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. If successful, this grant would reduce the projected residential monthly increase to $9.92, aligning with efforts to maintain affordability as per SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Project Development and Management

Progressive Design Build (PDB) Approach

The City of Corpus Christi is utilizing a Progressive Design Build (PDB) project delivery model. This collaborative and transparent approach supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by ensuring responsible management of public resources. The PDB process involves developing cost models at key design milestones.

1. 10% Design Completion: The current cost model has been established at this stage.
2. 30% Design Completion: The cost model will be further refined.
3. 60% Design Completion: A Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for construction and initial operation will be finalized. The City Council is expected to vote on the GMP in December.

To ensure financial accountability, an independent cost estimator is reviewing the model at each milestone, reinforcing the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaborative oversight.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Contribution to Global Sustainability Targets

The IHWTC project is a vital component of Corpus Christi’s long-term water management strategy and directly supports numerous SDGs:

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The project’s primary objective is to create a drought-proof, reliable source of fresh drinking water, ensuring water availability and sustainable management for the community.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The facility represents a significant investment in resilient infrastructure, utilizing advanced operational technology and treatment processes to build a foundation for sustainable industrial and economic growth.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By securing a long-term water supply, the project enhances the city’s resilience to climate-related water scarcity, making Corpus Christi a more sustainable and secure community.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Despite higher construction costs, the project design incorporates significant improvements in operational efficiency. Advanced technology is projected to minimize energy usage and reduce annual operating cost estimates from $44 million to $32 million, promoting sustainable production patterns.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: Seawater desalination is a direct climate adaptation strategy, strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards such as drought.

Core Project Priorities

The initiative is guided by three essential priorities that reflect a commitment to sustainable development:

• Affordability: Balancing project costs with ratepayer impact to ensure equitable access to water.
• Environmental Sustainability: Implementing advanced technology to minimize energy consumption and operational footprint.
• Reliability: Delivering a consistent and drought-proof water supply to safeguard the community’s future.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

This goal is central to the article, as the entire project is about securing a new source of fresh water. The article discusses the construction of the “Inner Harbor Water Treatment Campus” which “converts seawater into fresh drinking water.” This directly addresses the core mission of SDG 6, which is to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water for all.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

The article details a major infrastructure project, the IHWTC, estimated to cost nearly $1.2 billion. This aligns with SDG 9’s aim to build resilient infrastructure. Furthermore, the project incorporates innovation, as highlighted by the use of “Advanced operational technology” to “minimize energy usage and operational costs” and a “Progressive Design Build” process for cost transparency and management.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The project is a municipal initiative by the City of Corpus Christi to make its water supply more resilient and sustainable. By creating a “drought-proof water supply,” the city is taking direct action to enhance its long-term viability and protect its residents from water-related shocks, which is a key component of making cities sustainable and resilient as per SDG 11.

SDG 13: Climate Action

The article explicitly states the project provides a “drought-proof water supply.” Droughts are a significant climate-related hazard. By investing in a desalination plant, Corpus Christi is building adaptive capacity and strengthening its resilience to the impacts of climate change, which is the primary focus of SDG 13.

Identified SDG Targets

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. The project’s purpose is to provide “fresh drinking water.” The article’s extensive discussion on the cost, including the “projected average monthly increase to residential ratepayers,” directly relates to the affordability aspect of this target.
   • Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity. The project is a direct response to ensuring a sustainable supply of freshwater by creating a “drought-proof water supply,” thus addressing water scarcity. The mention of “significant improvements have been made to operational efficiency” also aligns with this target.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all. The IHWTC is described as a “vital component of Corpus Christi’s long-term water management strategy” with “reliability” as one of its three essential priorities, fitting the description of resilient infrastructure for human well-being.
   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure… to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies. The article notes that “Advanced operational technology will minimize energy usage” and that “environmental sustainability” is a key project priority, which points directly to this target.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly… decrease the direct economic losses… caused by disasters, including water-related disasters… A “drought-proof water supply” is a measure to mitigate the effects of a water-related disaster (drought), thereby increasing the city’s resilience.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The project is an adaptation strategy to strengthen the city’s resilience against the climate-related hazard of drought.

Mentioned or Implied Indicators

1. For SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)

   • Indicator for Target 6.1 (Affordability): The article provides a specific financial metric: the “projected average monthly increase to residential ratepayers in 2029 will be $11.38.” This is a direct indicator of the cost of water for households.
   • Indicator for Target 6.4 (Efficiency): The article quantifies an improvement in operational efficiency: “reducing annual operating cost estimates from $44 million to $32 million.” This serves as a proxy indicator for increased water-use efficiency in the production process.

2. For SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure)

   • Indicator for Target 9.1 (Infrastructure Investment): The total investment in the infrastructure project is clearly stated: “The total project cost, which includes construction, planning, design, and administration, is $1.189 billion.”
   • Indicator for Target 9.4 (Sustainable Technology): The article implies a future measurement of energy efficiency by stating that advanced technology “will minimize energy usage.” The reduction in annual operating costs also serves as an indirect indicator of this.

3. For SDG 11 & 13 (Resilience)

   • Indicator for Target 11.5 / 13.1 (Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy): The existence of the project itself, as part of “Corpus Christi’s long-term water management strategy,” serves as a qualitative indicator that the city is implementing plans to build resilience against water-related disasters like drought.

Summary of Findings

SDGs	Targets	Indicators Identified in Article
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation	6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water. 6.4: Increase water-use efficiency and ensure sustainable freshwater supply to address water scarcity.	Projected monthly rate increase for residents ($11.38). Reduction in annual operating costs from $44M to $32M due to efficiency.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure	9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure. 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure to be sustainable with increased resource-use efficiency and clean technologies.	Total project investment cost ($1.189 billion). Use of “Advanced operational technology” to “minimize energy usage.”
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.5: Reduce the impact of water-related disasters.	Implementation of a “drought-proof water supply” as part of a long-term water management strategy.
SDG 13: Climate Action	13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.	The project itself is an investment in strengthening resilience to drought.

Source: kristv.com