On 20 April 2026, Aqualia announced it will design, build, and operate a brackish groundwater desalination plant, equipped with reverse osmosis technology, for the city of Corpus Christi, Texas. The plant is expected to produce 21.3 million gallons per day of potable water within 24 months. After project commissioning, Aqualia’s Texas-based subsidiary, Municipal District Services, will assume full operation and maintenance services under a five-year contract. Annual operating costs are projected at approximately US$6.0 million.
The brackish desalination plant is one of several emergency water supply plans Corpus Christi is exploring to prevent a full-blown water shortfall. Historically, the city has entirely relied on surface water from Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon Reservoir, which are at 8.5% of capacity.
Spain-based Aqualia operates in 18 countries and serves 45 million people worldwide. In January 2024, Aqualia entered the U.S. water market through its acquisition of Municipal District Services, a third-party operation and maintenance provider for water and wastewater utilities in the Houston, Texas, area. Municipal District Services serves approximately 160 utility districts and cities.
