The Advantages of Desalination of Water

People have used numerous methods throughout history to make dirty or salty water safe for drinking. As of 2010, after spending nearly $1 billion to develop new technologies, reverse osmosis has become a commonly used method worldwide to make seawater or brackish water safe for human consumption. The product of this process is sanctioned by the World Health Organization (WHO), especially in areas with inadequate freshwater resources. The only requirement is that the water used be largely free of toxins.

Reliable Source

• Reverse osmosis is a filtration method that removes salt and other molecules and ions from water by applying pressure to the saltwater before feeding it through a filtration membrane. According to the WHO in its 1995 "Sourcebook of Alternative Technologies," this process is resistant to seasonal changes or "extreme weather events associated with freshwater sources." This provides those who implement these systems with a regularly replenished source of potable water.

Quick and Affordable

• Potable water from desalination takes about three to 12 months to deliver--a short period, notes the WHO, when listing advantages of the process. If private contractors are used, governments can also expect a minimal capital investment and a fixed price tied only to inflation. When saltwater isn't needed, however, other technologies are more affordable, notes the U.S. National Academies Press.

Clean Sources

• The WHO states that few chemicals are used in the desalinization process and very little environmental impact is experienced. It recommends that water be pumped from toxin-free underwater sources clear of areas that may be trafficked by oceangoing vessels that add pollutants to the water.