Water desalination

This solution was shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM , 14 May 2021

Print date: 14 April 2024 10:31

Description of the innovative solution

Water availability Renewable energy Desert agriculture Supply-chain management

High levels of water stress and water supply instability are currently emerging as key issues and are directly linked to escalating food insecurity. These are expected to further increase due to climate change. This innovation proposes to develop desalination reverse osmosis technology powered by renewable energy such as the sun, wind, and waves to generate reliable and affordable access to clean water. Excess salts are removed from sea water or brackish water converting it into safe potable or usable water. This way, water shortage will be minimized in a huge way, globally. Desalination methods are categorized into thermal processes and membrane processes.

Primary users

Small & medium commercial farmers
Large & industrial farmers
Livestock farmers
Public Health workers
Low/Middle income households
Rural consumers
Rural communities

Dietary impact

Water is critical and acess to clean water sources is fundamental to any human life. Access to clean water can improve food safety and eliminate a range of disease that have adverse effect on public health. By using water desalination, clean water can be offered in areas that would otherwise have difficulties in accessing clean water resources for human consumption

Planetary impact

The water desalination process takes the pressure off of taking clean water from freshwater sources that require protection. Sometimes, these freshwater sources serve as habitats for plants and animals nearby that need to be conserved to restore the earth's biodiversity. Therefore, the alternative of taking clean water from the ocean can help accelerate the habitat restoration process.

Equity impact

Water is a very important component in our lives. Water is used for cleaning, drinking, eating, growing food, and cooking, yet there are still countless people who are still living without access to clean water on a daily basis. The water desalination process, converting salt water into clean water, has the potential to give sustainable access to clean water to underserved households around the world and improve the state of social equality.

Main concerns

The water desalination process produces a highly toxic and salty solution called brine which can be damaging to the environment, especially the marine habitat if released into the open ocean. Therefore, this process needs to have a closed-loop where waste is not released into the environment.

Supply chain segment

Agricultural inputs and primary production practices

Maturity level

Moving to scale

Criteria

Climate adaptation Water use

SDG target

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation SDG 10: Reduced Inequality SDG 13: Climate Action SDG 15: Life on Land

Context

Marine/Coastal

Examples and additional resources

Real-world examples

See this solution in action in different contexts and settings around the world

Minjur Desalination Plant, Tamil Nadu, India

Project information

Minjur Desalination Plant constructed the largest water desalination plant in Tamil Nadu, India in 2010.

India

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/..._Plant

Shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM

Additional resources

Learn more about this solution through studies, articles, business cases, and other information

Desalination methods for producing drinking water

News article, popular press or blog post

This article explores the different methods and technologies being used to perform water desalination as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/.../