Report on the Proposed Brackish Groundwater Desalination Project for Corpus Christi

Executive Summary

The Corpus Christi City Council has deferred a decision on a contract with the South Texas Water Authority (STWA) for a brackish groundwater desalination project. The delay facilitates further due diligence, primarily concerning the project’s environmental impact on Baffin Bay. This situation highlights a critical intersection of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily the need to ensure access to clean water (SDG 6) while protecting marine ecosystems (SDG 14) through responsible infrastructure development (SDG 9) and multi-stakeholder partnerships (SDG 17).

Project Analysis in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation & SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The project’s primary objective is to create a new, drought-resilient water source for the region, directly addressing the targets of SDG 6.

• Water Security: The STWA, in partnership with Seven Seas Water Group, aims to develop a plant capable of producing at least 3 million gallons of treated water daily, with a potential expansion to 28 million gallons for the City of Corpus Christi.
• Drought Resilience: This initiative is a direct response to the need for augmenting the city’s water supply and building resilience against water scarcity, a key component of creating sustainable and resilient communities under SDG 11.
• Infrastructure Development: The project represents a significant investment in water infrastructure designed to support regional needs.

SDG 14: Life Below Water – Environmental Impact Concerns

Significant public and official concern has been raised regarding the potential environmental consequences of the project, specifically relating to the protection of marine life as mandated by SDG 14.

• Brine Discharge: The central issue is the proposed discharge of brine, a high-salinity byproduct of desalination, into Baffin Bay.
• Ecosystem Health: Stakeholders are concerned that brine discharge could harm the bay’s unique ecology, marine life, and consequently, the local recreation and tourism industries which depend on a healthy ecosystem.
• Precautionary Principle: The decision to delay the contract reflects a precautionary approach, prioritizing environmental assessment before proceeding. STWA officials have stated that if scientific analysis shows an adverse impact on Baffin Bay, an alternative discharge location will be sought.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals & SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The project’s structure and the response to challenges exemplify the collaborative approach championed by SDG 17, leveraging partnerships to build sustainable infrastructure as per SDG 9.

1. Public-Private Partnership: The project is a collaboration between a public entity (STWA) and a private firm (Seven Seas Water Group), which is financing, designing, and operating the facility. This model demonstrates a key mechanism for achieving sustainable development.
2. Scientific Collaboration: To address environmental concerns, STWA is building a research team that includes Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Harte Research Institute. This commitment to science-based decision-making is crucial for ensuring the project’s sustainability and alignment with SDG 14.
3. Government and Community Engagement: The City Council’s response to public outcry and the need for more information from STWA demonstrates participatory governance, essential for the successful implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects.

Project Status and Path Forward

Due Diligence and Timeline

The postponement of the original August 24 contract deadline allows for a more thorough evaluation. Key pending items include:

• A detailed map showing the treatment facility, well field, and discharge location.
• Confirmation of all necessary environmental permits.
• A finalized cost analysis to confirm the projected price of approximately $5.50 per thousand gallons.

STWA officials are expected to provide a progress update to the City Council on September 23. The estimated timeline for project construction to conclude is early to mid-2027, contingent on the outcomes of the ongoing environmental and logistical assessments.

SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• The article focuses on a project to secure a new water source for Corpus Christi to address water supply issues and build drought resilience. The project involves a brackish groundwater desalination plant, which directly relates to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water. The text states the project’s goal is to “augment Corpus Christi’s water supply” and “secure a new source of water.”

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• A significant portion of the article discusses the environmental concerns surrounding the project, specifically the potential impact of brine discharge on Baffin Bay. This connects to the goal of conserving and sustainably using marine resources. The article highlights “environmental concerns voiced within the community on how brine, if discharged into Baffin Bay, would impact the unique ecology and, consequently, marine life, recreation and tourism.”

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• The development of a desalination plant is a major infrastructure project. The article describes the plan to “design, permit, construct, finance, and operate a facility,” which aligns with the goal of building resilient infrastructure. The project is described as a partnership to “develop a desalination plant near Driscoll.”

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The project aims to make the city of Corpus Christi more resilient to environmental challenges, specifically drought. By securing an additional water source, the city is working to ensure its long-term sustainability. The article mentions the directive is to “secure a second water source… and build drought resilience.”

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article explicitly details collaborations between different entities to achieve the project’s goals. This includes a “public-private partnership” between the South Texas Water Authority (STWA) and Seven Seas Water Group, as well as collaboration with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Harte Research Institute for scientific studies.

Specific Targets Identified

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 aims to supply “28 million gallons of treated water per day” at a proposed cost of “no more than $5.50” per thousand gallons.
• 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 water scarcity and the need to “build drought resilience.”
• Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate. The project represents an effort in integrated water management by adding desalination to the region’s water portfolio.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution. The core environmental concern is the brine discharge from the desalination plant. The commitment that “If science doesn’t show that there’s no adverse impact on Baffin Bay, we will not discharge in Baffin Bay” directly addresses this target.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all. The desalination plant is a key piece of resilient infrastructure intended to provide a reliable water source.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations. The project’s aim to “build drought resilience” directly addresses this target by mitigating the impacts of a water-related disaster.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. The article highlights the “public-private partnership” between STWA and Seven Seas Water Group and the involvement of the Harte Research Institute, demonstrating a multi-stakeholder approach.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied

For Target 6.1 and 6.4

• Volume of water supplied: The plant is projected to generate “at least 3 million gallons of treated water per day,” with a potential expansion to supply “28 million gallons of treated water per day” to Corpus Christi.
• Cost of water: An anticipated cost of “no more than $5.50” per thousand gallons is mentioned as a key metric for affordability.

For Target 14.1

• Environmental impact studies: The article states that “more environmental study to review potential impacts to the bay” is needed. The results of these studies, which will be conducted by researchers from the Harte Research Institute, will serve as the primary indicator.
• Scientific determination of impact: The decision to discharge into Baffin Bay is contingent on a scientific indicator: “If science doesn’t show that there’s no adverse impact on Baffin Bay, we will not discharge in Baffin Bay.” This implies a threshold for acceptable environmental impact will be established.

For Target 9.1

• Project completion timeline: Progress is measured by a construction timeline, with the project estimated to “conclude by early to mid-2027.”
• Existence of the facility: The physical construction and operation of the “desalination plant near Driscoll” is the ultimate indicator of the infrastructure development.

For Target 11.5

• Implementation of a drought-resilience strategy: The successful completion and operation of the desalination project serves as an indicator of the city’s progress in implementing strategies to combat drought.

For Target 17.17

• Formal agreements and partnerships: The existence of the “memo of understanding” between the city and STWA, the partnership with “private firm Seven Seas Water Group,” and the involvement of the “Harte Research Institute” are all indicators of functioning partnerships.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: caller.com