Nueces River Authority picks IDE for Harbor Island desalination project

By AI, Created 4:06 PM UTC, May 28, 2026, /AGP/ – The Nueces River Authority board has authorized talks with IDE Technologies to develop the Harbor Island Seawater Desalination Project in Corpus Christi. The planned plant is expected to be the largest seawater desalination facility in the Western Hemisphere and could produce 100 million gallons a day for South Texas.

Why it matters: - The Harbor Island project is intended to add a drought-resistant water source for South Texas as demand rises and traditional supplies face pressure. - The project is expected to support municipal and industrial users across the Coastal Bend and broader Gulf Coast region. - If completed as planned, the facility would become the largest seawater desalination plant in the Western Hemisphere.

What happened: - At its May 21, 2026 board meeting, the Nueces River Authority authorized Executive Director John J. Byrum II to negotiate a development agreement with IDE Technologies - Water Assets for the Harbor Island Seawater Desalination Project. - The first phase of the development agreement will return to a future board meeting for review. - The project is planned for Harbor Island in Corpus Christi, Texas. - The facility is designed to supply 100 million gallons of desalinated water per day.

The details: - The project is described as an approximately 100 million gallon-per-day seawater desalination plant using advanced reverse osmosis technology. - The design includes offshore Gulf intake infrastructure and a marine outfall system to return treated brine to the Gulf under environmental permitting requirements. - IDE brings more than 60 years of desalination and advanced water treatment experience and a portfolio of more than 400 water projects in 40 countries. - IDE says it currently delivers about 1.5 billion gallons of high-quality water daily worldwide. - IDE has operated the Carlsbad Desalination Plant in California for more than a decade. - The company’s modular design approach is intended to let major plant components be manufactured and assembled in phases. - The phased approach is designed to reduce construction timelines, improve efficiency, reduce project risk, and shorten the time between construction and water production. - IDE’s proposed Phase 1 development budget is more than $2 million and would be funded directly by the company. - The Harbor Island project is structured as a direct partnership between the Nueces River Authority and IDE Technologies, rather than through a broader consortium or joint venture development entity. - The project is intended to complement existing surface water, groundwater, and reuse supplies in the region.

Between the lines: - South Texas is pushing for more water options as drought and economic growth continue to strain supply. - The selection of IDE signals a preference for a developer with a long operating history in large-scale desalination rather than a newer or untested partner. - The phased structure appears aimed at speeding evaluation while limiting early-stage risk, which matters for a project of this size and cost. - Local leaders framed the project as both a water-security play and an economic-development tool.

What’s next: - NRA Executive Director John J. Byrum II will negotiate a Phase I development agreement with IDE Technologies. - The proposed agreement will be brought back to the board at a future meeting. - Further project progress will depend on development terms, evaluation milestones, and environmental permitting. - The project’s long-term timeline will hinge on how quickly phased construction can move from planning to water production.

The bottom line: - South Texas is moving a step closer to a major desalination project that could reshape its long-term water supply mix. More information