SpaceX Constructs Water Pipeline to Starbase with Unique Access Requirements

SpaceX is advancing infrastructure development at its Starbase facility in Texas by constructing a dedicated water pipeline from Brownsville, marking a significant upgrade from the current system of truck-hauled water deliveries. The project, however, comes with unprecedented conditions for non-SpaceX residents seeking access to the utility services.

The aerospace company has established a state-regulated drinking water system capable of serving 239 residential connections within the newly incorporated City of Starbase, which officially gained city status in May 2025. Currently operating under a 60,000 gallons per day cap, the system represents a crucial infrastructure investment for the growing space launch facility.

What makes this development particularly noteworthy are the conditions SpaceX has attached to water access for the handful of non-company residents in the area. Of the 247 lots in Starbase, only 10 are not owned by SpaceX, and these property owners face a unique proposition. The company has distributed what it calls an "unconditional and perpetual agreement" that requires residents to evacuate their homes during "launch, testing and other operational activities" in exchange for access to the water and sewer systems.

The agreement explicitly states that "SpaceX has no obligation to provide residents with access to SpaceX's water and wastewater treatment," highlighting the company's control over essential utilities in the area. This arrangement underscores the unusual dynamics of a company town where a private corporation controls both the infrastructure and most of the property.

Kent Myers, Starbase city administrator, confirmed the arrangement, stating, "The City of Starbase does not provide any utility services. These services are provided by SpaceX within the City Limits." This setup is particularly notable given that SpaceX has not obtained a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity, which would typically create a legal obligation to serve third parties with utility access.

The water pipeline project represents both progress and complexity in SpaceX's transformation of the South Texas location into a major spaceflight hub. While the infrastructure upgrade will significantly improve water delivery efficiency compared to trucking, it also raises questions about corporate control over essential services in what is effectively a company-dominated municipality.

As SpaceX continues to expand its Starbase operations for Starship development and launches, this utility arrangement may serve as a precedent for how private space companies manage infrastructure in areas where they maintain overwhelming property control, balancing operational needs with resident access to basic services.