Despite Drought, U.S. EPA May Block Trailblazing Texas Desalination Plant
October 6, 2022
As water scarcity and consumer demand grow across much of the country, one of the driest states is pursuing an ambitious drinking water project, while still unsure if it will receive the federal green light.
“Texas regulators issued an environmental permit … to build what could become the state’s first seawater desalination plant — but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may refuse to accept it,” the Texas Tribune reported. “The marine desalination plant is expected to cost at least half a billion dollars to construct; an estimate provided to the Texas Water Development Board puts the cost at more than $800 million. Environmental groups have fought the project for four years on the grounds that wastewater from the plant could harm sensitive coastal ecosystems.”
