Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
A $1 billion seawater desalination plant is planned for South Padre Island as part of an effort to provide a “drought-proof” water source for the Rio Grande Valley, according to a joint announcement by US Desalination and IDE Technologies.
The project will be developed through a joint venture called RGV-Desal, which will design, finance, and operate the facility near the Laguna Madre. The plant is expected to produce up to 50 million gallons of drinking water per day by treating seawater from the Gulf of Mexico using reverse osmosis technology.
According to the companies’ April 23, 2026, news release issued in Brownsville, the project is intended to serve both municipal utilities and industrial users across the Rio Grande Valley, a region experiencing increasing water stress due to population growth and limited traditional water sources.
“The formation of RGV-Desal is a defining moment for water infrastructure in South Texas,” said Sean Strawbridge, chairman of US Desalination. He stated that the region has “long relied on a limited and increasingly stressed water portfolio” and described the project as a “privately funded solution” to provide a reliable supply.
Local officials and project stakeholders have emphasized that reliance on the Rio Grande River is no longer sufficient due to recurring shortages. The desalination facility is intended to supplement existing supplies, which also include groundwater resources subject to drought and regulatory limits.
IDE Technologies, which has experience developing large-scale desalination projects worldwide, will contribute technical expertise and operational management. The company’s portfolio includes projects in the United States, Israel, China, India, and Australia, many of which supply water to large populations and industrial sectors.
“IDE Technologies is proud to partner with US Desalination to bring world-class desalination infrastructure to the Rio Grande Valley,” said Lihy Teuerstein, chief executive officer of IDE Technologies. She said the facility would “deliver a reliable, sustainable water supply for the communities and industries of the South Texas region.”
The companies said the project will be privately financed, with water supply agreements to be negotiated with public utilities and industrial customers. No taxpayer funding is planned for the construction or operation of the plant.
The initiative is being presented as a model for market-driven infrastructure investment, reflecting a broader shift toward private-sector involvement in U.S. water systems. Project developers argue that the facility will enhance supply diversity and resilience in the Rio Grande Valley while supporting long-term economic growth. https://ide-tech.com/en/water-solutions/sea-water-desalination/thermal-desalination/
