Texas River Agency Plans Largest U.S. Desalination Plant

A tiny, rural water agency in Texas is pushing forward with an ambitious plan to build the largest desalination plant in the United States. The Nueces River Authority (NRA), based 200 miles from the coast, is leading the effort. In 2024, NRA Executive Director John Byrum decided to take on a challenge that had defeated others. He believed his agency could succeed where previous attempts had failed. The plant would turn saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico into fresh drinking water. The NRA is a small, little-known agency. But its project could reshape water supply for a drought-prone region. The agency is now working to secure permits and funding. If completed, the plant would produce millions of gallons of fresh water daily. It is a bold step for an agency far from the ocean.