Additional Resources

MEDIA STATEMENT ON EPCOR'S TCEQ DISCHARGE PERMIT APPLICATION FOR PLANNED DESALINATION FACILITY IN TEXAS CITY 

TEXAS CITY, TEXAS – EPCOR Utilities Inc. (EPCOR), through its wholly owned subsidiary, EPCOR NR Holdings Inc., has filed a discharge permit application with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), a required step for the state’s approval to develop and operate a seawater desalination facility in Texas City near the south shore of Galveston Bay. If approved, the permit will allow EPCOR to initiate construction and eventually own and operate the facility designed to enhance regional water security by providing a long-term, drought resilient water supply option for the region in Texas that is home to nearly 8 million residents. 

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Fact Sheet
TCEQ DISCHARGE PERMIT APPLICATION FOR BAYSHORE DESALINATION FACILITY
On October 3, 2025 EPCOR Utilities Inc. submitted a discharge permit application to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for the proposed construction of the Bayshore Desalination Facility in Texas City, Texas. If approved, the permit and other federal and state approvals would allow for the construction of a desalination facility licensed to provide the Gulf Coast region with up to 26.5 million gallons of water per day. The application contains extensive details about the proposed facility along with environmental and wildlife impact studies conducted by EPCOR and two independent organizations with extensive marine and coastal environmental expertise.
TCEQ Permit Application
Information

Desalination in Texas

Texas Desalination Association
The Texas Desalination Association advocates for expanding Texas’ water resources through the development of brackish, marine, and other saline waters. Founded in response to Texas’ severe drought conditions affecting municipal, agricultural, and industrial water supplies, the association supports incorporating desalination into long-term water supply planning by connecting the public with industry experts and educating decision-makers.
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Texas Water Development Board

The Texas Water Development Board leads the state’s efforts to ensure a secure water future for Texas. The TWDB’s responsibilities include collecting and disseminating water-related data; assisting with regional water supply and flood planning that contributes to preparing the state water plan and state flood plan; and administering cost-effective financial programs for constructing water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and agricultural water conservation projects.

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Information

Texas' water needs

Assessment of Historic and Future Trends of Extreme Weather in Texas 1900-2036 - Texas A&M University Office of the Texas State Climatologist

Summary: 

  • Texas is predicted to face significant climate challenges, including warming temperatures and changing precipitation patterns.  
  • Evaporative losses from reservoirs are projected to increase by approximately 7% by 2036 compared to 2000-2018.   
  • Future rainfall deficits comparable to those in the early/mid-20th century will have greater impacts due to higher temperatures.  
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Prospective Costs and Consequences of Insufficient Water Infrastructure Investment in Texas - Texas 2036

Summary:  

  • This report was written by Rice University’s Baker Institute and commissioned by the nonpartisan organization Texas 2036. It examines how water infrastructure investments are essential for Texas’ continued economic growth and the consequences of underinvestment.  
  • Desalination is an increasingly viable drought-proof water solution.  
  • Public-private partnerships could help spread financial costs and risks of desalination projects.  
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Foundation for Economic Growth: Assessing Texas' Water Infrastructure Needs - Texas 2036

Summary: 

  • This report, also from Texas 2036, examines how water infrastructure directly impacts Texas’ economic growth and highlights the critical funding gap threatening the state’s water security.  
  • A projected 6.9 million acre-feet state water deficit could cause $160 billion in annual GDP losses by 2030. 
  • Water diversification investments including desalination are critical for Texas’ economic future.  
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Information

Studies & position statements

Effects of Structures and Practices on the Circulation and Salinity Patterns of Galveston Bay, Texas - Texas Water Development Board, 2005

Summary

  • This 2005 study highlights how the Houston Ship Channel acts as a significant salinity-leveling mechanism, bringing more gulf water into the bay than it sends out.  
  • The channel increases salinity in upper bay areas but moderates extreme salinity conditions across the entire system. 
  • The study also explains how power plant operations, where water is drawn from and discharged into the bay, have created a salinity-leveling effect by promoting water mixing. 
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Carlsbad Desalination Plant 2019-2023 State of the Ocean Report - Miller Marine Science & Consulting, 2023

Summary: 

  • This multi-year report details how the Carlsbad desalination plant successfully met all environmental regulations from 2019-2023 while operating in balance with the coastal ecosystem. 
  • Water quality data from that period showed no adverse impacts from the plant’s brine discharge beyond the mixing zone. 
  • The report further explains how the seafloor near the plant remained free of toxic conditions and invertebrate populations remained stable. 
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Sustainability Assessment and Environmental Impacts of Water Supply Systems: A Case Study in Tampa Bay Water Supply System - 6th International Conference on Materials Science, Energy Technology and Environmental Engineering, 2021

Summary: 

  • This assessment of Tampa Bay’s desalination system acknowledges that while desalination consumes more energy than traditional water treatment methods, it provides a consistent freshwater supply. 
  • The report highlights how proper site selection can significantly lower environmental risks and construction costs. 
  • The report’s authors also state that continuous technological improvements in energy use and waste management support desalination’s long-term sustainability. 
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Environmental Protection and Sustainability: Perth Seawater Desalination Plant Experience - IDA Desalination Industry Action for Good Conference, 2011

Summary: 

  • This desalination plant supplies approximately 17% of Perth’s drinking water, while studies show the facility has minimal environmental impact. 
  • Long-term marine monitoring has shown no harm to the surrounding waters of Cockburn Sound. 
  • The report also concludes that four years of data confirm no adverse environmental impacts, positioning the plant as a model for sustainable desalination. 
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Sustainable Seawater Reverse Osmosis Desalination as Green Desalination in the 21st Century, Journal of Membrane Science and Research - Environments, 2019

Summary: 

  • This report explains how global use of Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) is expanding.  
  • Hybrid SWRO systems are able to reduce energy use by up to 30%. 
  • Modern systems also reduce chemical use and allow for cleaner, more sustainable operations. 
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A Reliable Seawater Desalination System Based on Membrane Technology and Biotechnology Considering Reduction of the Environmental Impact - Environments (journal), 2018

Summary: 

  • This study focuses on Japan’s “Mega-ton Water System” and how new technological advancements can have significant impacts on the desalination process. 
  • This particular research paper shows that eliminating chlorination and dechlorination chemicals reduces biofouling, an issue associated with reverse osmosis (RO) desalination systems. 
  • A new tool, the Membrane Biofilm Formation Rate (mBFR), was developed to better monitor and manage biofouling, improving membrane life and significantly reducing the environmental impact of chemical discharges.  
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Optimization of Energy Costs for SWRO Desalination Plants - Desalination and Water Treatment (journal), 2012

Summary: 

  • This report shows how a linear programming model can reduce desalination energy costs by approximately 15%, saving up to $2 million annually for a 140 minimal liquid discharge plant. 
  • Minimal liquid discharge is a desalination process that focuses on maximizing freshwater recovery and minimizing the volume of liquid brine produced as a byproduct. 
  • The model works by aligning desalination plant operations with lower-cost energy periods. Combined with improvements in membranes and energy recovery, this makes desalination more cost-effective and environmentally sound. 
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Desalination Science Statement - Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, 2020

Summary: 

  • In 2020, The Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi released this official position on desalination technology. 
  • The statement explains how current conditions, including rising surface water costs, reduced water sources, lower energy prices, new desalination technologies and solutions to address environmental issues have made the water source a more economically viable option.  
  • The institute also states that it supports desalination where it complements environmental protection, especially by easing the pressure on freshwater flows to bays and estuaries. 
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