What are the major activities that use desalinated brackish groundwater in Texas and what is the range of TDS concentrations in the feedwater?
While we have a relatively accurate estimate of the number of desalination plants (and their capacity) supplying potable water (municipal supply) to Texans, our information on the use of desalinated water for industrial purposes is less accurate. According to an estimate by the International Desalination Association (IDA, 2001), Texas has a total desalination capacity of about 100 MGD. Of this, about 53 MGD is being produced for municipal use (A Desalination Database for Texas, 2006; 1.29 MB) and about 47 MGD for industrial use. Surface water accounts for about 25 MGD of municipal supplies and groundwater about 28 MGD. Steam-generation probably accounts for about 30 to 45-MGD of industrial capacity, 10-MGD for the food and beverage industry, and about 15 to 30-MGD for the semiconductor industry. Collecting water usage data in Texas from industrial facilities using desalination has proven to be notoriously difficult and we ask that the information provided above be used with caution. Th
Related Questions
- What are the major activities that use desalinated brackish groundwater in Texas and what is the range of TDS concentrations in the feedwater?
- What is the biggest challenge (technical or economical) in developing and using desalinated brackish groundwater in Texas?
- What is the average unit cost of desalinated brackish groundwater?
