McAllen utility begins early planning for brackish groundwater desalination plant
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Summary
McAllen Public Utility has started preliminary engineering and test-well work for a proposed brackish groundwater desalination facility at the Northwest Water Treatment Plant site, estimating 6–10 million gallons per day and seeking funding from the Texas Water Development Board and the Bureau of Reclamation.
Mark Vega, general manager of McAllen Public Utility, told the City Commission workshop that the utility has commenced early planning and preliminary engineering for a prospective brackish groundwater desalination facility at the site of the city’s existing Northwest Water Treatment Plant.
"McAllen has commenced early planning and preliminary engineering efforts for a prospective brackish groundwater desalination facility," Vega said, adding that the conceptual project would include multiple brackish groundwater wells and the desalination plant itself.
The manager said the project could provide the city an additional 6 to 10 million gallons per day to help supply existing and future customers. Early work includes the installation of multiple test wells to gather water-quality and quantity data needed to advance the facility’s design.
Vega said McAllen Public Utility is working with the Texas Water Development Board and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on potential funding assistance. He did not identify a construction timeline or a guaranteed funding source and did not describe a formal project approval action at the workshop.
The presentation was informational: staff will collect test-well data and continue preliminary engineering, with future updates expected as design and funding options are refined.
