Desalination:

Creating fresh water for the

future

Ashley Hall
Kelly Kramer
Dan Spisak

Desalination Definition
Desalination is the process of removing salts and

minerals from sea water in order to create drinking

water and irrigation.
There are currently 14,500 desalination plants

operating world wide.

230 million people rely on this process for their daily

water usage.

Problem Definition

97.5% of the Earth's water is saline. Accessible fresh

water makes up .75% of the world's 2.5% fresh water
supply.

Increasing water demands attributed to population

and industrialization increase coupled with shrinking
aquifer reserves and deteriorating water
infrastructure are putting a strain on the world's fresh
water supply.

The UN estimates by 2025, 30 of countries will be

water scarce and 18 are in the Middle East and N.
Africa.

At least 36 states are expected to face water

shortages within the next 5 years.

Types of Desalination-Reverse
Osmosis

Types of Desalination-Distillation

Environmental Impacts
Highly brine wastewater can be discharged back

into the sea.

Local temperature increases at discharge

locations. Concentration of heavy metals in

waste stream.

Decreases demand on unsustainable sources of

water (groundwater, surface water)

Economic Impacts
Desalination is currently more expensive than

traditional water extraction methods.

Can range from 65-95 cents a cubic foot.
Compared with groundwater extraction 50-65

cents a cubic foot.

Creates local jobs, can utilize waste heat from

power plants

Cogeneration

The production of electricity using waste heat (as

in steam) from an industrial process or the use of
steam from electric power generation as a
source of heat

Distillation plants use this energy saving

technique because the excess heat helps
heat up the water

Sociological Impacts
Effect of pollution on local community, depending
on the energy sources.
Less chance of supply disruptions.
Placement of the facility (environmental injustice)

Plant Regulations: The Big Ones

No depositing or dumping any brine material within

sanctuary boundaries. (Permit required)

A permit is also required to dump brine material

outside of the boundaries, that is approved by a
government body.

No actions in building shall harm or disturb the

natural seabed (pipes, chemicals, etc.)

Compliance Issues

Brine Disposal
Evaporation pits
Dumping back into the ocean

Limiting environmental impact with emissions

since desalination requires a lot of energy input.

Protecting the marine ecosystem

Future

Desalination IS our future! (competition with

waste water treatment)

Necessary evil

Best Management Practices

further develop environmental standards
proper waste disposal
Increase use of cogeneration and renewable
energies
Improve technology to decrease price

Final Exam Questions

Question: What is desalination?

Answer: The process of converting undrinkable saline

water into fresh water.

Question: What percent of the Earth's water is saline?

Answer: 97.5%