Aerial view of the SRWA desalination plant

Southmost Regional Water Authority

Solutions to Regional Water Issues

A state-of-the-art facility using membrane technology to provide superior water quality to customers across the lower Rio Grande Valley.

How It Works Request a Tour

10 MGD

Treatment capacity

20

Production wells

99.6%

Salt rejection

11,200

Acre-feet saved / yr

Quality Water Now on Tap

The SRWA desalination plant treats brackish groundwater drawn from the Gulf Coast Aquifer, providing an alternate source of drinking water and reducing the region's dependence on the Rio Grande River.

At its current capacity, the plant can save approximately 11,200 acre-feet of surface water diversions from the Rio Grande every year — helping secure a reliable water future for Southern Cameron County.

How it works

1. Brackish groundwater is pumped from 20 wells, 200–300 ft deep.
2. Microfiltration removes iron, arsenic and manganese.
3. Eight reverse-osmosis trains remove dissolved salts.
4. Treated water is stabilized and disinfected for distribution.

See the full treatment process

An operator inspects the reverse osmosis membrane array at the SRWA plant

Inside the plant

Eight reverse-osmosis trains deliver about one million gallons of treated water per day each.

See SRWA in action

Take a closer look at how the Southmost Regional Water Authority turns brackish groundwater into clean, reliable drinking water for the region.

Explore

About SRWA

Created in 1981 to develop regional water supply strategies and reduce reliance on the Rio Grande.

Our Treatment Process

How reverse osmosis membrane technology turns brackish groundwater into clean drinking water.

Request a Tour

See the desalination plant in action with a guided tour of our facility.

Our Regional Partners

SRWA delivers treated water to six participating entities throughout the region.

Brownsville Public Utilities Board
City of Los Fresnos
Town of Indian Lake
Brownsville Navigation District
Laguna Madre Water District
Valley Municipal Utility District No. 2

A guided tour group at the SRWA plant

See the plant for yourself

Schedule a guided tour of our desalination facility.