Photo: The inside of a desalination plant. Le plombier du désert CC 4.0
The new water desalination plant was constructed through a public-private partnership with Seven Seas Water, a Florida-based company.
Desalination refers to the process of removing salt from sea water through osmosis. The technology has seen more adoption over the years, as more regions fight back against increasing droughts and climate change.
Currently, the City of Alice gets all of its drinking water from Lake Corpus Christi, however it is incredibly expensive to pump the water from there to Alice, which still needs to be treated. By comparison, the desalination plant will be able to deliver water to Alice residents at a lower cost, according to Seven Seas Water. While the plant is currently owned by Seven Seas Water, ownership will be transferred to the City of Alice after 15 years.
“We’re hoping to be in operation by toward the end of January, full commission and operation.” Seven Seas Water General Manager Mark Wernli told KIII 3 News.
Alice City Manager Michael Esparza also told 3 News that this agreement would not increase the cost of water for residents, “there is not going to be a water rate increase because of this.”