PORT ISABEL, Texas – A proposed seawater desalination facility is again drawing attention as the Laguna Madre Water District plans for a more resilient regional drinking-water supply.
The district’s Port Isabel Seawater Desalination Facility is intended to add a drought-resilient source of treated water for customers in Port Isabel, South Padre Island and Laguna Vista. Project materials describe a proposed seawater reverse-osmosis facility and note that the district has pursued financing for planning, acquisition, design and construction.
Separately, the Port Isabel-San Benito Navigation District Board of Commissioners discussed desalination-related proposals and possible facility expansion at its Oct. 12 meeting. The board tabled a proposed impact-assessment item while commissioners sought additional information about the water district’s project and possible use of port property. A separate proposal to seek desalination developers did not advance.
Any facility would still require development, financing and regulatory steps before construction and operation. Public questions about capacity, cost, environmental safeguards and customer rates remain central to the regional discussion.
Sources: Laguna Madre Water District; Port Isabel-South Padre Press; Lower RGV News
