Texas Innovation Water 2010

Seawater Desalination

What is the benefit to the State from implementing the Brownsville Seawater Demonstration Project?

A Historical Perspectiveof Texas Water

“Dependable supply from conventional sources such as lakes, rivers and wells is already 75 to 80

percent developed…”

Texas Water Development Board, 2000

Source: TWDB, The Drought in Perspective: 1996 to 1998.

Planned Additional Water Supply(2010 to 2060)

New Groundwater (7%)

New Reservoirs (17%)

Conjunctive Use (4%) Conservation

(18%)

Reuse (15%)

Existing Surface Water (35%)

78% Sensitiveto Drought

Desalination (4%)

Source: TWDB, Water for Texas 2007.

“It is not a matter of whether saltwater will one day be used as an abundant source for public use, but when. As people, we must have the courage to look into the future and invest today in a better tomorrow. There is no greater untapped source of water than the ocean water which Texas can easily access.”Governor Rick Perry, April 29, 2002

2002 Governor’s Seawater Desalination Initiative2003 Legislative Directive2004 TWDB Feasibility Studies - Three Sites

1. Brownsville2. Corpus Christi3. Freeport

2005 Legislative Appropriation for Seawater Pilot - Brownsville

2008 Seawater Pilot Completed2009 Microfiltration Project – Arsenic and Iron Removal2009 Texas Desal Project – Proactively Identify

Environmental Concerns

Statewide Interest and Commitment

Why Brownsville?

Reservoir Capacity

Region M Experience

2002 State Water Plan

Cities in Region M with Desalination as a

water supply strategy:

0

Region M Experience

2007 State Water Plan

Cities in Region M with Desalination as a

water supply strategy:

30+

Support for Seawater Desalination

DiversificationInnovationCommitment

Diversification

Surface WaterBrackish Groundwater Desalination

• Southmost Regional Water Authority Plant

Seawater Desalination• Pilot Plant• Texas Desal Project – Proactively Identify Environmental Concerns

Long-Term Water Supply Strategy

InnovationNew Alternatives Exploration

SRWA Desalination Plant• TWDB Feasibility Study (1995)• Technical/Financial Feasibility Study –

2000• Aquifer Testing – 2001• Groundbreaking for Facility - 2002• Largest Facility in Texas (2004)• Microfiltration Project (2009) – Arsenic

and Iron Removal

Seawater Pilot Plant (2008)

Commitment

Leadership in Implementation

SRWA – $30 million - 100% Local Funding

Microfiltration Project - $13 millionSeawater Pilot Project

BPUB-$2.1 million – TWDB-$1 million

Texas Desal Project – Proactively Identify Environmental Concerns

SummarySRWA – Brackish Groundwater DesalinationTexas Desal Project

Identify Environmental Impacts

Seawater Desalination in Brownsville is Technically FeasiblePilot data sufficient to develop full-scale facilityPhase approach will allow system performance evaluation prior to full-

scale investment

2.5 mgd Demonstration Seawater Desalination/Research Facility

Data will provide more efficient design and lower cost on future expansions

• Expand up to 25 mgd at the proposed location

Further diversify regional water supply sources

Summary Research Facility for Desalination Technology

• Pretreatment

• Larger/more efficient membranes • Seawater variations/Gulf Coast difficulties

Renewable Energy Component• Energy Recovery• Sustainable Energy Supply

Brownsville has a proven track record and has demonstratedcommitment and ability to advance Seawater Desalination in

Texas

“Seawater Desalination . . . holds the promise of providing unlimited supplies of drinking water even during periods of extreme drought. State investment in the Brownsville Seawater Desalination Demonstration Project represents a significant step in meeting the future water supply needs of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. It also represents even more significant progress towards meeting the future water supply needs of many regions in Texas.”Texas Water Development Board, 2006 Biennial Report on Desalination

What is the Benefit to the State from Implementing the Brownsville Seawater Demostration Project?

Brownsville is a proven area with an abundant seawater source which will further diversify Texas’ water supply portfolio and provide an innovative Seawater-Research Facility that will serve as a pioneer for future cost effective Seawater Desalination along the Texas Coast.

Contact Information

Genoveva G. Gomez, P.E.

Brownsville Public Utilities BoardWater & Wastewater Engineering & Operations Director

1425 Robinhood DriveP.O. Box 3270

Brownsville, TX 78523-3270(956) 983-6275

ggomez@brownsville-pub.com