Shoring Up Potable Sources: Bringing Israeli Technology to Texas

Water scarcity is no joke—especially in Texas. But what if the Lone Star State could take a page from Israel’s playbook? Join our hosts, Robert and Carrie, as they sit down with Lihy Teuerstein and Mark Ellison of IDE Technologies. Lihy and Mark break down the similarities and differences between Israeli and Texan desalination operations and introduce us to the environmental benefits of desalination.

Got a question for Robert and Carrie? Submit it here—we might answer it on the show!

First up, it’s the Pop Quiz (01:45)  

• In the last episode, Robert mentioned that Texas has one of the longest-running desalination plants in the United States. Which Texas city is it located in?

• A) Corpus Christi
• B) Muleshoe
• C) El Paso
• D) South Padre
• E) Dell City

Today’s Keywords: (03:11)

• Water Supply: the process of providing water to communities

• Water Security: the ability of a community to access safe, affordable, and reliable water for its needs

• Drought: a lack of precipitation or water over an extended period of time, resulting in a water shortage

Today’s Guests: Lihy Teuerstein and Mark Ellison from IDE Technologies

• Carrie Thompson introduces our guests (04:06)

Lihy and Mark explore the benefits of bringing Israeli technology to Texas:

• Israel’s Leading Innovations: Lihy explains groundbreaking tech that gives Israeli desalination its edge. (05:44)

• Toward the Texas Miracle (Responsibly): Mark outlines how desalination can help the state meet growing water demands (10:57)

• Putting the Water Where Our Mouths Are: What goes into selecting a desalination site? (13:33)

• Herding the Cats: Lihy explains the Israeli water grid in comparison to Texas water policy (16:53)

• From Sea to Shining Stream: How seawater desalination can replenish resources. (20:43)

• The Recovery Ratio: Explore the exciting new technologies making desalination more sustainable. (23:03)

• From Drying to Thriving: Mark shares a vision of Texas water security, and the role desalination could play. (25:27)

And Don’t Miss What’s Coming Next!

• Next Episode: Join Robert and Carrie for a discussion about policy and desalination in Texas.

Episode Links and Resources:

• IDE Technologies

• Texas Desalination Association

• NaCl (Sodium Chloride)

• Submit a question to the pod!

Theme song: Come Heck or Hot Water by Robert E. Mace

We want to thank pixabay.com for providing the sound effects.

Learn more about the Meadows Center at ⁠meadowscenter.txst.edu⁠.