Alice Advances Desalination Groundwater Plant To Secure Local Water

City of Alice leaders reported on December 8, 2025 that work on a new reverse osmosis groundwater desalination plant is progressing and that the project remains on track to bring its first well online within months. The plant, first announced with a ground breaking in September 2023, is being designed to satisfy Texas Commission on Environmental Quality requirements for a secondary water source and to give the city a more reliable alternative to surface water supplies from Corpus Christi.

Officials described the facility as a primary or supplemental source that will be especially useful during drought conditions or interruptions to surface water deliveries. Construction and well development are underway, and project leaders said the completed plant should bolster local capacity to meet long term water demands for Alice and surrounding areas including Ben Bolt.

The development represents a significant shift in municipal water planning, moving the city toward greater self reliance and resilience. Meeting TCEQ standards for a secondary source carries regulatory implications, and compliance will shape operational timelines, testing protocols, and approval for the plant to supply treated water to customers. For residents and businesses the practical benefits could include steadier service during extreme weather and fewer disruptions tied to regional surface water shortages.

The project also raises governance questions about transparency and fiscal oversight. Decisions about operations, future capital spending, and any changes to utility rates will fall to city leadership and require continued public reporting. Intergovernmental arrangements will be necessary to serve surrounding areas, and those agreements will affect cost sharing and long term maintenance responsibilities.

Local economic and public safety interests stand to gain from increased water reliability. Municipal water capacity supports everyday household needs, commercial activity, and essential services such as firefighting. With the first well expected to come online within months, city officials will need to provide clear updates on implementation milestones, regulatory approvals, and the timeline for transitioning treated groundwater into the distribution system. The plant is intended to strengthen Alice's control over its water future, and its progress will be a key item for citizens and policymakers focused on resilience and accountability.