The Gulf of Mexico is the only body of water that can quench the thirst of major cities like Austin and San Antonio . Changing salt water into fresh water (desalination) is the only long-term answer for the expected population explosion. Desalination is expensive, has high maintenance costs and uses a lot of energy. Austin Energy and San Antonio Power own the nuclear power plant in Matagorda County . The power is already there.

Desalination is a simple process:

Particles are filtered from salt water. It is fed into a high pressure pump that forces the water through a membrane assembly. The membrane assembly must be cleaned and replaced regularly due to the salt. The brine discharge must be held in a lagoon with a small outlet into the Gulf so that massive amounts of salt do not harm the aquatic life. The freshwater normally requires less treatment than our Lake Travis surface water.

Desalination plants are springing up along the California Coast . Las Vegas is planning a plant for Mexico where land and labor costs are less than in California . The Rio Grande River has a desalination pilot project. The Middle East has been massively desalinating water for years.

Desalination is just not being considered seriously enough by most Texans.