Texas Innovation Water 2010 Seawater Desalination What is the benefit to the State from implementing the Brownsville Seawater Demonstration Project?

A Historical Perspective of 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.

New Groundwater (7%) New Reservoirs (17%) Conjunctive Use (4%) Conservation (18%) Reuse (15%) Existing Surface Water (35%) 78% Sensitive to 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 Initiative 2003 Legislative Directive 2004 TWDB Feasibility Studies - Three Sites 1.Brownsville 2.Corpus Christi 3.Freeport 2005 Legislative Appropriation for Seawater Pilot - Brownsville 2008 Seawater Pilot Completed 2009 Microfiltration Project – Arsenic and Iron Removal 2009 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 Diversification Innovation Commitment

Diversification Surface Water Brackish Groundwater Desalination Southmost Regional Water Authority Plant Seawater Desalination Pilot Plant Texas Desal Project – Proactively Identify Environmental Concerns Long-Term Water Supply Strategy

Innovation New Alternatives Exploration SRWA Desalination Plant TWDB Feasibility Study (1995) Technical/Financial Feasibility Study – 2000 Aquifer Testing – 2001 Groundbreaking for Facility 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 million Seawater Pilot Project BPUB-$2.1 million – TWDB-$1 million Texas Desal Project – Proactively Identify Environmental Concerns

Summary SRWA – Brackish Groundwater Desalination Texas Desal Project Identify Environmental Impacts Seawater Desalination in Brownsville is Technically Feasible Pilot data sufficient to develop full-scale facility Phase 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 demonstrated commitment 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 Board Water & Wastewater Engineering & Operations Director 1425 Robinhood Drive P.O. Box 3270 Brownsville, TX (956)