A private utility company plans to construct a first-of-its-kind desalination plant in Texas City, aiming to supply fresh water to the Houston region as the state prepares for future water shortages.
A private company is pursuing state approval for the construction of a large-scale seawater desalination plant in Texas City, which has the potential to provide fresh drinking water to Harris and Galveston counties, representing a significant development for the Houston metro area.
On Friday, EPCOR submitted a permit application to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for the construction of the proposed Bayshore Desalination Facility at the location of the former P.H. Robinson Generating Station, which was decommissioned in 2008. The utility company based in Arizona announced plans to transform seawater into drinkable water through reverse osmosis, aiming to supply it to local municipalities for both residential and commercial purposes.
If given the green light, EPCOR would be permitted to release the salty byproduct from the process to Galveston Bay. The organization projects that the plant will generate approximately 26.5 million gallons of potable water daily—sufficient to meet the needs of around 150,000 individuals.
“Houston, being one of the largest cities in the U.S., faces a notable water supply challenge right at its doorstep,” stated Matt Atwood, senior communications advisor for EPCOR. “Recognizing the abundant availability of seawater and the site's closeness to the market made it an obvious choice for us to move forward.”
Numerous communities in Harris and Galveston counties continue to rely heavily on groundwater, leading to land subsidence —a phenomenon where the ground gradually sinks as a result of excessive aquifer extraction. Texas leaders are advocating for innovative solutions to address the increasing demand for water in one of the nation's rapidly expanding states.
In November, voters in Texas will have the opportunity to cast their ballots on a proposed constitutional amendment that aims to allocate $1 billion annually from state tax revenue over the next two decades to support water infrastructure initiatives. State Rep. Cody Harris, a Republican from Palestine, emphasized that desalination will play a crucial role in addressing the issue. “In my view, we should establish as many desalination plants as possible along the coast,” he stated.
According to the Texas Water Development Board, the state expects seawater desalination to contribute 4.4% of its water supply by 2030.
Nonetheless, some projects have encountered challenges along the way. In September, the Corpus Christi city council halted its desalination plans, citing rising costs and environmental concerns. A proposed facility in Freeport is currently on pause as its developer seeks potential clients.
EPCOR has submitted a permit application that features two studies from Texas A&M University-Galveston, which examine the potential impacts of brine discharges on bay salinity and marine ecosystems. Following completion of its review, the agency will invite public feedback on the proposal.
