The mission of the Texas Desalination Association (TexasDesal) is to encourage better use of Texas’ water resources through the development of brackish, marine and other saline waters. TexasDesal does this through advocacy and education of state and local decision makers, the public, industry leaders and other stakeholders. TexasDesal was established in 2011 in response to the multi-year drought’s effects on municipal, agricultural and industrial water supplies, including those needed for oil and gas production. The record-breaking heat and fire and drought conditions made it clear that surface water is not sufficient to meet Texas’ growing needs. The state’s historic dependence on that limited supply has become a liability for public safety and economic prosperity. Texas has to create new water supplies, and the obvious source is below our feet and in the Gulf.