Corpus Christi to Launch Texas’ First Large-Scale Seawater Desalination Facility

Introduction

Corpus Christi is set to commence construction on Texas’ inaugural large-scale seawater desalination facility, a pivotal development addressing the state’s ongoing drought and water supply challenges. This initiative aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, and SDG 13: Climate Action.

Project Overview

• Location: Inner Harbor Water Treatment Campus, Corpus Christi
• Technology Provider: Aquatech
• Capacity: Up to 30 million gallons of drinking water per day
• Significance: Third-largest desalination plant in the Americas
• Construction Start: Early 2026
• Operational Date: Expected in 2028
• Prime Contractor: Kiewit
• Process Design Services: GHD

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The facility supports several key SDGs by:

1. SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation: Providing a drought-resilient alternative water source to enhance water security in the Coastal Bend region.
2. SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy: Employing energy-efficient desalination processes to reduce power consumption and environmental impact.
3. SDG 13 – Climate Action: Addressing water scarcity exacerbated by climate change through sustainable infrastructure development.

Innovations and Environmental Considerations

The project incorporates advanced technologies and strategies to minimize environmental impact, including:

• Reduction of chemical usage in the desalination process
• Biofouling control measures to maintain system efficiency and reduce ecological disruption
• Energy-efficient operations to address the high power demands traditionally associated with desalination

These innovations contribute to sustainable water management practices and demonstrate responsible stewardship of natural resources, reinforcing SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Industry Impact and Future Outlook

The Corpus Christi desalination plant represents a paradigm shift in U.S. municipal water infrastructure by positioning desalination as a central component of long-term water strategy rather than a last-resort option. This approach supports:

• Enhanced resilience to prolonged droughts and water scarcity
• Promotion of sustainable urban water management aligned with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Setting a precedent for future desalination projects with a focus on environmental and economic sustainability

For Aquatech, this project expands its footprint in the public utility sector, complementing its existing industrial water treatment portfolio and contributing to the advancement of sustainable water technologies across North America.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The article focuses on the development of a seawater desalination facility aimed at providing a drought-resilient alternative water source, directly addressing water availability and sustainable management.
2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Emphasis on energy-efficient processes in the desalination plant highlights the connection to clean and sustainable energy use.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – The project represents innovation in water infrastructure and industrial processes.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action – The project responds to drought and water supply challenges exacerbated by climate change, contributing to climate resilience.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 6 Targets:
   • 6.1 – Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
   • 6.3 – Improve water quality by reducing pollution and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals.
   • 6.4 – Increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals.
   • 6.b – Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.
2. SDG 7 Targets:
   • 7.2 – Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • 7.3 – Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
3. SDG 9 Targets:
   • 9.4 – Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.
4. SDG 13 Targets:
   • 13.1 – Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. For SDG 6:
   • Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services (indicator 6.1.1) – implied by the production of 30 million gallons of drinking water per day.
   • Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources (indicator 6.4.2) – implied by addressing drought and water supply challenges.
   • Water quality indicators related to chemical use and pollution reduction (indicator 6.3.2) – implied by efforts to reduce chemical use and control biofouling.
2. For SDG 7:
   • Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP (indicator 7.3.1) – implied by the focus on energy-efficient desalination processes.
3. For SDG 9:
   • CO2 emission per unit of value added (indicator 9.4.1) – implied by efforts to mitigate environmental footprint and adopt cleaner technologies.
4. For SDG 13:
   • Number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies (indicator 13.1.2) – implied by the project’s role in climate resilience and drought adaptation.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: environmentenergyleader.com