The coastal city of Corpus Christi in South Texas has chosen Kiewit Infrastructure South Co. to spearhead the design and construction of its inaugural desalination facility, named the Inner Harbor Seawater Desalination Treatment Plant.
“This marks a crucial milestone for our community, reflecting our dedication to securing additional water resources for Corpus Christi and nearby areas,” stated City Manager Peter Zanoni.
The desalination plant, estimated to cost $700 million, will be situated at the junction of Nueces Bay Boulevard and West Broadway Street. Upon completion, it will have the capability to produce 30 million gallons of water each day.
Kiewit was selected as the preferred contractor from three finalist firms reviewed by the City’s committee. Zanoni explained that the decision was based on the technical review committee’s evaluation of the company’s proposal and interview.
“Kiewit distinguished itself through its strategy, which included completing the project on time, adhering to budget limitations, and ensuring the facility would be operational from day one,” Zanoni noted.
The other two firms in contention were Acciona, a Spanish infrastructure company, and CDM Smith.
Earlier this week, Zanoni mentioned that city officials are considering the possibility of increasing the plant’s capacity beyond 30 million gallons per day. This potential expansion will be assessed during the design phase.
“The concept of making the plant scalable has been under consideration for a while,” Zanoni remarked. “As we advance with the design, we want to ensure that essential components of the plant are ready for future expansion, allowing for increased water production if necessary.”
The next step for the City involves initiating contract negotiations with Kiewit, aiming to finalize an agreement by December 3. If negotiations do not succeed, the City plans to move forward with the next highest-ranked bidder.
Source:City of Corpus Christi
