Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant
Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant
El Paso is the site of the world's largest inland desalination plant. This plant represents a forward-looking strategy in water supply — not only for a region but also for a world that is increasingly challenged by short supplies of fresh water. A joint project of El Paso Water Utilities and Ft. Bliss, El Paso's desalination facility can produce up to 27.5 million gallons of fresh water daily (MGD) making it a critical component of the region's water portfolio. Using a previously unusable brackish groundwater supply, the Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant is creating a new supply of water - water from water. In addition to providing a supply of fresh water, the facilities provide other important benefits. The facilities serve as a model and center of learning for other inland cities facing diminishing supplies of fresh water. The water pumped to the desalination plant protects El Paso's and Ft. Bliss' fresh groundwater supplies from brackish water intrusion by capturing the flow of brackish water toward freshwater wells. This desalination process not only removes salts, but also is the most comprehensive water treatment technology available, removing other potential pollutants from the water. The facilities augment existing supplies to make sure El Paso and Ft. Bliss have sufficient water for growth and development for 50 years and beyond. The desalination facilities have the ability to increase El Paso Water Utilities' fresh water production by approximately 25%, based on current demand, and include a state-of-the-art desalination plant, a learning center, groundwater wells, transmission pipelines, storage and pumping facilities and the disposal of concentrate, the residual that remains after the desalination process.