City Manager Proposes New Path Forward for Inner Harbor Desalination Project

Corpus Christi Desal Partners to Develop No-Cost Proposal for Water Security Solution

November 07, 2025

City Manager Peter Zanoni announced today a recommended path forward for the Inner Harbor Desalination Project, presenting City Council with a strategic approach to secure a reliable mid-term water source for the region.

After several weeks of careful consideration, the City Manager has engaged Corpus Christi Desal Partners (CCDP), the second-ranked team in the original procurement process, to develop a proposal for the desalination facility. CCPD brings together a consortium of local, national, and international companies, including Acciona, MasTec, Reytec, and Ardurra.

Following a meeting this week with senior leaders from these organizations, the City Manager secured a formal commitment from CCDP to develop a new proposal with price certainty for both design and construction options. The proposal development process over the next six months will be at no cost to the City and will build upon existing design data from Kiewit.

The recommended timeline commences with the City Council's consideration of the plan on November 18. If approved, the City would provide CCDP with existing design documents in November, allowing the partnership to prepare detailed proposals between December 2025 and February 2026. A final design-build contract could potentially move forward in March or April 2026.

Once the design-build contract is approved, the City will initiate a competitive process to secure a 30-year operations and maintenance agreement for the facility. This approach ensures an experienced desalination operator will manage the plant. Structuring the project in this manner enables the City to shift certain costs from debt to a long-term, manageable position within the water rate structure, providing rate stability for all customers.

“I have worked for several weeks on this initiative with input from the Mayor and Council,” City Manager Peter Zanoni said. “Thanks to the valuable input from our team at Corpus Christi Water, we are taking meaningful steps toward long-term sustainability. A reliable and resilient water supply is vital, not just for today’s needs, but for the future of our residents, our businesses, and our entire community.”

For more information, contact Ashley Marion, Strategic Business Manager, at (361)826-3706 or ashleym6@cctexas.com.