The Water Renewal Project is BPUB's Indirect Potable Reuse (IPR) initiative, designed to strengthen Brownsville's water future by creating a reliable local water resource.
Water is too valuable to use only once. That's why the project will recover up to 8.0 million gallons per day (MGD) of highly treated reclaimed water from the Robindale Plant and renew it through a multiple-barrier treatment approach before it enters the potable water system.
Instead of being discharged, the water will undergo advanced treatment, pass through the Brownsville resacas as an environmental buffer, and receive comprehensive drinking water treatment to ensure it meets rigorous state and federal drinking water standards.
With the Water Renewal Project, every drop has a future, helping diversify Brownsville's water portfolio by creating a dependable local source that supports long-term water security and resilience.
The project aligns with Texas Senate Bill 905 and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulatory framework for potable reuse, addressing growing water scarcity in the Rio Grande Valley.
Project Details
Water Renewal Capacity: Up to 8.0 MGD.
Pipeline: A 36-inch pipeline will connect the Robindale Plant to Resaca de la Guerra.
System Integration: Water will be conveyed to the Water Treatment Plant No. 2 raw water intake for final drinking water treatment.
Regulatory Framework: Developed in alignment with Texas Senate Bill 905 and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) potable reuse framework.
Estimated Cost: Approximately $40 million
Grant Funding: $34,558,000 awarded by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) on Jan. 28, 2026
Estimated Completion: 2028
Multiple-Barrier Treatment Approach
1. Advanced Treatment
Highly treated water undergoes advanced processes that remove contaminants to very low levels, providing the first barrier of protection.
2. Environmental Buffer (Brownsville Resacas)
The water flows through the Brownsville resacas, which serve as a natural environmental buffer. This provides additional time, continuous monitoring, and natural processes that further enhance water quality.
3. Drinking Water Treatment
The water receives comprehensive drinking water treatment to ensure it meets the strict state and federal drinking water standards before entering the distribution system and reaching our community.
Project Benefits
A Stronger Water Supply
Adds up to 8.0 MGD to Brownsville's potable water supply and offsets approximately 10.1% of current Rio Grande withdrawals.
Drought Resilience
By creating a reliable local water resource, the project helps Brownsville diversify its water supply and prepare for future drought conditions.
Environmental Stewardship
Reduces nutrient-rich discharge to downstream waterways while incorporating the resacas into a water management strategy that supports long-term environmental stewardship.
Built for Growth
As Brownsville continues to grow, infrastructure must grow with it. The Water Renewal Project is an investment in the community's future water reliability.