IDE Technologies selected for South Texas desalination project

IDE Technologies has been selected by the Nueces River Authority to develop the Harbor Island Desalination Facility, a major water infrastructure project planned for South Texas. According to the company, the facility is designed to produce 100 million gallons of water per day and will become the largest seawater desalination facility in the Western Hemisphere.

The Nueces River Authority Board unanimously selected IDE Technologies for the project, which aims to provide a reliable and drought-resilient water source for the region. The facility is intended to support municipal and industrial water demand while helping reduce reliance on increasingly stressed freshwater supplies.

IDE Technologies said it will use its modular desalination design approach for the Harbor Island Desalination Facility. The strategy allows major plant components to be manufactured and assembled in phases, helping shorten the timeline between construction and water production.

Once operational, the facility is expected to serve communities, businesses, and industrial users across South Texas. Project leaders say the development will help strengthen long-term water reliability as the region faces growing demand and ongoing drought concerns.

Lihy Teuerstein, CEO of IDE Water Assets, said the project will address a critical water need in South Texas while diversifying the region’s overall water supply. He added that the facility is expected to establish a benchmark for future desalination projects in the United States.

Eric Burnett, president of the Nueces River Authority Board, said IDE Technologies was selected to lead the project because of its experience in desalination and water treatment. He said the partnership is intended to support long-term water reliability and economic resilience for future generations.

The Harbor Island Desalination Facility reflects increasing interest in seawater desalination as a solution for regions facing water scarcity and long-term supply challenges. According to IDE Technologies, the project demonstrates the growing role of desalination infrastructure in supporting water security along the Gulf Coast and other drought-prone areas.