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Legislators Consider Tapping Brackish Water in West Texas

A bill introduced by state Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, to study seawater desalination has been altered to include inland sources such as West Texas brackish water.

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Credit: Callie Richmond

A bill introduced by state Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, to study seawater desalination has been altered to include inland sources such as West Texas brackish water. About 2.7 billion acre-feet of brackish groundwater in Texas could be tapped, according to Jorge Arroyo, the Texas Water Development Board's director of innovative water technologies. Though the use of brackish water presents some hurdles, like high cost, lawmakers say the pressing need for water may outweigh the challenges.  — Scripps

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