SpaceX is building a water pipeline to Starbase – but access comes with some conditions

In a significant development for Starbase, Texas, a new water pipeline is set to transform the way SpaceX supplies potable water to its employees and the local community. This infrastructure will connect Brownsville to the newly established City of Starbase, moving away from the previous method of delivering water via trucks. Mark Dombroski, COO of the Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB), confirmed the pipeline project at a meeting on July 16. The BPUB has officially entered into a contract with SpaceX to provide water as a customer within city limits, a deal approved on June 2. However, the specifics surrounding SpaceX's classification as an in-city nonresidential customer, which allows for a more favorable rate, have not been fully explained. Under a unique development agreement, SpaceX is responsible for financing the pipeline's extension to a designated metering point within the city. This infrastructure is expected to replace the current limitation of 60,000 gallons per day imposed by the existing water hauling agreement, thereby facilitating the expansion of amenities and housing for SpaceX employees. However, the pipeline's benefits may not extend universally. In July, nearly 40 properties along the route between Brownsville and Boca Chica experienced an abrupt termination of county water services. Previously, Cameron County had provided water as a courtesy, but it is now asserting that the responsibility lies with Starbase, a claim that the city disputes. Starbase city administrator Kent Myers expressed concerns about the potential public health risks arising from this sudden cut-off, emphasizing that Starbase lacks the authority and capacity to supply water to these residents. In a controversial move, SpaceX has been distributing an agreement to nearby homes not affiliated with the company. This document proposes access to Starbase's water and sewer systems in exchange for residents relinquishing their right to remain in the area during any operational activities, including launches and testing. The agreement also stipulates that SpaceX holds no responsibility for the quality or quantity of the water provided and limits residents' legal recourse against the company. The City of Starbase, which was incorporated in May and is governed by SpaceX executives, operates as a separate municipal entity. Only a limited number of registered voters, primarily those affiliated with SpaceX, participated in the incorporation vote. SpaceX has been proactively setting up a state-regulated drinking water system, which includes substantial infrastructure to support its operations and residential needs. Despite the pipeline's potential to alleviate immediate water shortages for SpaceX staff, it does not automatically grant local residents access to this essential resource. SpaceX's discretion will determine any connections to the pipeline, and public access remains uncertain. Notably, SpaceX has not yet acquired a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) from the Texas Public Utility Commission, which would mandate the company to serve third parties. As of now, inquiries about the company's future plans for public utility services remain unanswered.