In order to enhance El Paso’s long term supply of potable water, El Paso Water Utilities (EPWU) and Fort Bliss teamed together in a public-private partnership that culminated in the development of the $80 Million Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant.  With the capacity to produce 27.5 million gallons of potable water each day; this facility is currently the world’s largest inland desalination plant. In addition to state-of-the-art desalination capability, the project includes a water resource learning center and a complex network of wells, pipelines, storage, and pumping facilities.  This facility also has incorporated a sophisticated and environmentally-sound process for the disposal of up to 3 million gallons of concentrate per day-- the residual that remains after the desalination process.

By using previously unusable brackish water supply, the Hutchison plant is creating a new supply of water-- literally water from water. Best of all, by pumping this brackish water to facilities where it can be treated, it no longer poses a threat of contamination to the fresh supply of groundwater that already exists in the area.

The desalination process not only removes the salts but is also the most comprehensive water treatment technology available, removing other potential pollutants from the water. The benefits of the plant will not be limited to providing fresh water to customers; the facilities will also serve as a model for a world that is increasingly challenged by short supplies of fresh water.