Why Aren't Desalination Plants Being Utilized for Water Crisis Prevention?

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In summary, desalination plants are used on a large scale, such as in Australia, to address water crises in many parts of the world. However, the cost of desalinating water is prohibitively expensive for non-wealthy nations, making it difficult for them to implement on a large scale. Research on the desalination industry and projects for low cost desalination are readily available through a simple internet search.
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Ansuman
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Why no desalination plants ?

Many parts of the world face water crisis today ( especially Africa ) . This can be avoided if the sea water ( which is saline ) is made useful by desalinating it. many desalination techniques have been developed but why is not desalination applied on large scale...i.e. in factories and then send that desalinated water for use ?
 
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Desalination plants are used on a large scale.
i.e. in Australia.
 
  • #3


Ansuman said:
Many parts of the world face water crisis today ( especially Africa ) . This can be avoided if the sea water ( which is saline ) is made useful by desalinating it. many desalination techniques have been developed but why is not desalination applied on large scale...i.e. in factories and then send that desalinated water for use ?
One should do some research on the desalination industry. There are numerous plants in the MiddleEast, particularly the Gulf States and Saudi Arabia, those nations with considerable wealth/resources, as well as other parts of the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desalination

http://www.medrc.org/

http://people.uwec.edu/piercech/desalination/middleeast.htm

http://water.nationalacademies.org/basics_part_3.shtml
 
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Simon Bridge said:
Desalination plants are used on a large scale.
i.e. in Australia.
wealthy nations only...can't it be done in poor countries using...u know kinda less wealth
 
  • #6


There are projects to bring low cost desalination to the masses.
All this is an easy google away.
 

1. Why are there not more desalination plants?

One of the main reasons for the limited number of desalination plants is the high cost involved in building and operating them. The process of desalination requires a large amount of energy and specialized equipment, making it an expensive solution for obtaining freshwater.

2. Can desalination plants harm the environment?

While desalination plants can provide a source of freshwater in areas where it is scarce, they can also have negative impacts on the environment. The process of desalination produces a large amount of brine, which is often disposed of in the ocean and can harm marine life. Additionally, the energy required for desalination contributes to carbon emissions and climate change.

3. Why aren't desalination plants used more in areas with water scarcity?

Desalination plants are not a widely used solution for water scarcity due to the high costs and potential environmental impacts. In addition, the location of desalination plants is limited by the availability of suitable coastal sites and the need for access to large amounts of energy.

4. Are there alternatives to desalination plants for obtaining freshwater?

Yes, there are alternative methods for obtaining freshwater that are often more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than desalination. These include rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment and reuse, and conservation measures such as using drought-resistant crops and implementing efficient irrigation systems.

5. Can desalination plants provide a sustainable solution for freshwater supply?

While desalination plants can provide a source of freshwater, they are not considered a sustainable solution due to the high costs, energy consumption, and potential environmental impacts. It is important to explore and implement a combination of solutions for ensuring access to clean water, including conservation measures and alternative sources of freshwater.

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