Cadiz Selects Stantec to Serve as Owner's Engineer for the Mojave Groundwater Bank Project

Rhea-AI Summary

Cadiz Inc. (NASDAQ: CDZI) has partnered with Stantec Inc. (NYSE: STN) to oversee the development and construction of the $800M Mojave Groundwater Bank project, set to be the Southwest's largest new water infrastructure project. The project will provide:

• 2.5 million acre-feet of new water supply
• 1 million acre-feet of underground storage capacity
• 350+ miles of pipeline network between Colorado River and California Aqueducts

Located at a 2,000 square mile watershed system base, the aquifer system currently holds 30-50 million acre-feet of groundwater. At the end of 2024, Cadiz announced a historic partnership with Native American Tribes to construct, own, and operate the project, marking the first large-scale water infrastructure project off tribal lands in U.S. history.

Positive

• Secured partnership with global leader Stantec for project development
• Historic partnership with Native American Tribes for project ownership
• Project will be largest new water infrastructure in Southwest
• Massive storage capacity exceeding major U.S. reservoirs
• Strategic location connecting major water systems

Negative

• High project cost of $800M
• Complex construction timeline and logistics
• Dependent on successful coordination with multiple stakeholders

Insights

Water Infrastructure Analyst

Cadiz's $800M Mojave Groundwater Bank represents a potential step-change for this $307M market cap company, marking a significant evolution in its business model and scale of operations. This project isn't merely infrastructure development—it's a strategic positioning in the increasingly valuable water security market of the Southwest.

The economics of this project deserve investor attention. While the announcement doesn't detail the funding structure for this $800M initiative (nearly 2.6x the company's current market cap), water banking typically generates revenue through storage fees and water transfer contracts. With 1 million acre-feet of permitted storage capacity and rights to deliver 2.5 million acre-feet of new water supplies, Cadiz is establishing a significant asset in a region where water transfer rates have historically ranged from $500-$1,000 per acre-foot.

The partnership with Native American Tribes represents a shrewd regulatory strategy. Tribal partnerships often streamline permitting processes and provide certain jurisdictional advantages that can accelerate development timelines and reduce regulatory friction—critical factors in water projects that have historically faced environmental opposition and permitting delays.

Selecting Stantec as Owner's Engineer addresses execution risk concerns. For a company of Cadiz's size undertaking such a massive infrastructure project, having an experienced partner with relevant expertise significantly mitigates technical and operational risks. The Construction Management at Risk delivery model mentioned in the announcement further aligns incentives for on-time, on-budget completion.

The strategic timing of this project coincides with escalating water scarcity issues throughout the Southwest. With the Colorado River system facing unprecedented pressure and mandatory water use reductions, the value proposition of new water storage and delivery infrastructure has never been stronger. The Mojave Groundwater Bank's capacity—exceeding the combined storage of Lake Mead and Lake Powell—positions Cadiz as a potentially significant player in regional water security.

For investors, this represents both opportunity and risk. The $800M project cost relative to Cadiz's size raises questions about financing arrangements and potential dilution. However, if successfully executed, this infrastructure could generate stable, long-term contracted revenue streams in an increasingly valuable market. The accelerated construction timeline mentioned suggests potential for earlier-than-expected revenue generation, though specific operational dates remain unannounced.

The $800M groundwater bank will be the largest new water infrastructure project in the Southwest

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cadiz, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDZI) (the "Company" or "Cadiz") announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Stantec Inc. (NYSE: STN), a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, to oversee development and construction of the Mojave Groundwater Bank project, the largest new water storage and supply project being developed in California's Mojave Desert.

Once complete, the project will provide 2.5 million acre-feet of new water supply, 1 million acre-feet of underground storage capacity and a pipeline network spanning more than 350 miles between the Colorado River and California Aqueducts. The Mojave Groundwater Bank will be the largest new water infrastructure project in the Southwest, ensuring affordable water supplies to communities in California and Arizona.

"Stantec is unmatched in the engineering industry for its expertise in water supply infrastructure and has been our trusted partner for nearly 20 years. We are very pleased to select Stantec to oversee design, development and construction as we move into this critical phase in bringing the Mojave Groundwater Bank online," said Susan Kennedy, CEO & Chair of Cadiz Inc. 

Under the agreement, Stantec will serve as the Owner's Engineer, assist in the selection of the Contractor under a Construction Management at Risk delivery model, and lead the engineering, procurement, and construction management process that is expected to bring the project online on an accelerated construction timeline.

"Water supply variability resulting from climate change threatens long-term water security throughout the Western U.S., and the water delivery system must be updated and expanded to safely and reliably meet the needs of our communities," said John Hanula, senior vice president at Stantec. "Stantec has decades of experience working with utilities throughout California and the West. We understand the complexities of bringing new infrastructure online, and we are honored to be part of the innovative Mojave Groundwater Bank that will set many firsts in our regional water infrastructure."

The Mojave Groundwater Bank is located at the base of a 2,000 square mile watershed system approximately 40 miles north of the Colorado River Aqueduct and 220 miles east of California State Water Project facilities. The underground aquifer system holds an estimated 30 to 50 million acre-feet of groundwater in storage today. That's more water than what is presently stored in Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the two largest surface reservoirs in the U.S., combined.

The project is permitted to deliver 2.5 million acre-feet of new water supplies to communities in the Mojave River Basin, the Colorado River Basin and California's Inland Empire and permitted to store up to 1 million acre-feet of imported supply, relieving pressure on the stressed State Water Project and Colorado River systems.  

At the end of 2024, Cadiz announced a partnership with Native American Tribes to construct, own and operate the Mojave Groundwater Bank. The partnership represents a landmark collaboration with Native American Tribes to build the first large-scale water infrastructure project off tribal lands in U.S. history. The total cost for construction of the project is currently estimated to be approximately $800 million.

About Cadiz Inc.
Cadiz is a California water solutions company dedicated to providing access to clean, reliable and affordable water for people through a unique combination of water supply, storage, pipeline and treatment solutions. With 45,000 acres of land in California, 2.5 million acre-feet of water supply, 220 miles of pipeline assets and the most cost-effective water treatment filtration technology in the industry, Cadiz offers a full suite of solutions to address the impacts of climate change on clean water access. For more information, please visit https://www.cadizinc.com. 

About Stantec Inc.
Stantec empowers clients, people, and communities to rise to the world's greatest challenges at a time when the world faces more unprecedented concerns than ever before.   We are a global leader in sustainable architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting. Our professionals deliver the expertise, technology, and innovation communities need to manage aging infrastructure, demographic and population changes, the energy transition, and more. Today's communities transcend geographic borders. At Stantec, community means everyone with an interest in the work that we do—from our project teams and industry colleagues to our clients and the people our work impacts. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what's previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure. We are designers, engineers, scientists, project managers, and strategic advisors. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what's possible.Stantec trades on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol STN. Visit us at stantec.com or find us on social media.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "will," "intends," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," "expects," "plans," and "proposes." These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's expectations for construction and implementation of the Mojave Groundwater Bank project, the anticipated benefits from the engagement of Stantec, and the prospects of the collaboration with the Native American Tribes.  Management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made. However, such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, changes in market conditions and permitting, risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's business and finances in general, as well as other risk factors described from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and subsequent Exchange Act and Securities Act filings. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law. 

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SOURCE Cadiz, Inc.

FAQ

What is the total cost and capacity of Cadiz's (CDZI) Mojave Groundwater Bank project?

The Mojave Groundwater Bank project costs approximately $800 million and will provide 2.5 million acre-feet of new water supply with 1 million acre-feet of underground storage capacity.

How extensive is the pipeline network in CDZI's Mojave Groundwater Bank project?

The project includes a pipeline network spanning more than 350 miles between the Colorado River and California Aqueducts.

What is the current groundwater storage capacity of the Mojave aquifer system?

The underground aquifer system holds an estimated 30 to 50 million acre-feet of groundwater, exceeding the combined storage of Lake Mead and Lake Powell.

What role will Stantec play in CDZI's Mojave Groundwater Bank project?

Stantec will serve as Owner's Engineer, assist in contractor selection, and lead the engineering, procurement, and construction management process.

Which regions will benefit from CDZI's Mojave Groundwater Bank water supplies?

The project will deliver water to communities in the Mojave River Basin, the Colorado River Basin, and California's Inland Empire.