business
$1B desalination plant proposed to ease Rio Grande Valley border water woes
By Sandra Sanchez at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)
· June 25, 2026
· 1 min read
An Israeli-based company wants to pair up with a U.S. company to build a $1 billion desalination plant on South Padre Island, on the South Texas border, to ease the growing water woes in the Rio Grande Valley that has been caused, in part, from a lack of water owed to the region by Mexico.
Key takeaway company to build a $1 billion desalination plant on South Padre Island, on the South Texas border, to ease the growing water woes in the Rio Grande Valley that has been caused, in part, from a lack of water owed to the region by Mexico.
Why this matters in The Odessa
The proposal for a $1 billion desalination plant on South Padre Island has significant implications for the Permian Basin region, particularly in addressing water scarcity issues. While the plant would be located outside of the Midland-Odessa area, its potential to alleviate water woes in the Rio Grande Valley could have a ripple effect on the regional water supply. As the Permian Basin continues to grow and develop, ensuring a stable and reliable water source is crucial for its economic and population growth. The involvement of an Israeli-based company in this project also highlights the global interest in addressing water scarcity issues in the region. As this project moves forward, it will be important to consider how it might impact the regional water infrastructure and whether it could potentially provide a model for addressing water scarcity issues in the Midland-Odessa area.
About this story
Original reporting by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? An Israeli-based company wants to pair up with a U.S. company to build a $1 billion desalination plant on South Padre Island, on the South Texas border, to ease the growing water woes in the Rio Grande Valley that has been caused, in part, from a lack of water owed to the region by Mexico.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Sandra Sanchez at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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