What are the environmental impacts of desalination?
As with any major construction project, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required by regulators for a desalination plant prior to construction. EIS studies are conducted to identify and investigate possible impacts on soil, air, and water resources and to recommend steps to avoid or reduce these impacts. Because the ocean is a habitat, EIS studies look carefully at how marine life is impacted during desalination processes. The WateReuse Foundation conducts and supports research that examines both the potential environmental impacts of desalination and potential solutions.
