McAllen City Commission Workshop: September 14, 2026

The City of McAllen held a City Commission Workshop on September 14, 2026, focused primarily on a major water infrastructure project involving the development of a brackish groundwater desalination plant. Presenters from Corollo Engineers and other consulting firms detailed the project's scope, including drilling 13 wells across five sites, constructing a reverse osmosis (RO) facility, and implementing deep well injection for brine disposal. The estimated total construction cost is approximately $182.7 million, divided into four design packages to attract local contractors and control costs. Funding includes a low-interest loan from the Texas Water Development Board and a $9.6 million grant from the Bureau of Reclamation, with hopes for additional grant funding. The project aims to produce up to 10 million gallons per day of potable water, reducing dependency on the Rio Grande and providing redundancy for the city's water supply. The timeline anticipates awarding contracts for yard piping and electrical work by March 2028, completion of raw water wells by June 2028, and substantial completion of the desalination plant by December 2030. Commissioners discussed operational details, environmental safeguards, and potential impacts on water rates, with assurances that the project is being managed conservatively to minimize rate increases. The workshop concluded with commitments to keep the commission updated on project progress and costs.