Is seawater desalination safe for the environment?
Seawater desalination can be done in an environmentally sound manner. Protecting Florida’s coastal ecosystem is paramount to the project participants. That’s why a number of scientific studies will be conducted to assess whether seawater desalination is a suitable choice for the project participants. One of the main concerns associated with a desalination plant is the effect of discharging the nearly twice-as-salty seawater back into the environment. The project team will examine various options and conduct computer models to help design the best method for mixing and dispersing the concentrated seawater. Desalination will be pursued only if studies show the environment will be protected. Additionally, if the plant is built, safeguards will be put in place to ensure the salinity of the concentrate is within permitted limits prior to leaving the plant, and permit conditions will require monitoring to assure continued safe operation.
