What is seawater desalination and why is the Water Authority pursuing it?
Seawater desalination is the process of converting seawater into safe high-quality water for drinking and other potable water uses. In the seawater desalination process, fresh water is separated from salty seawater. The remaining water, salts and impurities are then discharged as a salty byproduct, or brine. There are two methods that are commonly used for large-scale production of desalted water-distillation and reverse osmosis. Seawater desalination offers compelling advantages for the San Diego region. It produces locally controlled, drought-proof and safe high-quality water. As an alternative water resource, seawater desalination will diversify the county’s water supply mix and increase the region’s water supply independence. Seawater desalination has become economically feasible in recent years through improved desalination technology, dramatic reductions in the cost of reverse osmosis membranes, and the economies of scale derived from the construction of large-scale facilities.
Seawater desalination is the process of converting seawater into safe high-quality water for drinking and other potable water uses. In the seawater desalination process, fresh water is separated from salty seawater. The remaining water, salts and impurities are then discharged as a salty byproduct, or brine. There are two methods that are commonly used for large-scale production of desalted water-distillation and reverse osmosis. Seawater desalination offers compelling advantages for the San Diego region. It produces locally controlled, drought-proof and safe high-quality water. As an alternative water resource, seawater desalination will diversify the county’s water supply mix and increase the region’s water supply independence. Seawater desalination has become economically feasible in recent years through improved desalination technology, dramatic reductions in the cost of reverse osmosis membranes, and the economies of scale derived from the construction of large-scale facilities. T
