Why do countries not use desalination?

Why do countries not use desalination?

So is cost the reason why desalination isn’t used? Yup. The energy requirements are so high that the cost for a lot of countries is too much. Desalination plants take in salt water straight from the ocean and can kill or harm fish and other small ocean life as water travels from the source to the plant.

Why are desalination plants not an option for many developing countries?

Desalination plants are highly capital-intensive and certainly may not be a viable option for the poor countries. There is a very need of maintaining the balance between groundwater recharge-discharge in the coastal areas.

Why is desalination not an option for getting drinking water?

The problem is that the desalination of water requires a lot of energy. Salt dissolves very easily in water, forming strong chemical bonds, and those bonds are difficult to break. Energy and the technology to desalinate water are both expensive, and this means that desalinating water can be pretty costly.

Why is desalination not used widely in the Middle East?

Overview. In the Middle East, thermal technologies are mainly used by oil rich countries neighboring the Persian Gulf where energy prices are low. These countries rely less on desalination due to financial restrictions and better access to other freshwater resources.

What are some disadvantages of desalination?

The disadvantages of desalination are causing many people to think twice before starting desalination projects.

• Waste Disposal. As with any process, desalination has by-products that must be taken care of.
• Brine Production. Brine is the side product of desalination.
• Ocean Populations.
• Health Concerns.
• Energy Use.

What are the cons to desalination?

Cons of Desalination Plants

• Desalination plants may contaminate groundwater supplies.
• The salt must go somewhere.
• It takes the minerals out of the water.
• Desalination plants create pollution.
• It is an energy-intensive solution.
• The return is minimal.

Are there any countries that rely on desalination?

While some countries have the privilege of having many lakes and rivers within their border (such as Canada), others are not as lucky and can only rely on desalinating marine water to cater for their local water demands. Desalination occurs through two primary processes of distillation and reverses osmosis.

How does desalination affect the environment in the Middle East?

This makes desalination less attractive for poorer countries in the region. Desalination can have significant negative impacts on the environment. One impact is the discharge of salt on coastal or marine ecosystems in the case of seawater desalination. Plants treating brackish water can pollute rivers, aquifers and soil.

Where is the desalination plant in South Australia?

The Adelaide Desalination plant, formerly known as the Port Stanvac Desalination Plant, is a SWRO (sea water reverse osmosis) desalination plant located in Lonsdale, South Australia which has the capacity to provide the city of Adelaide with up to 50% of its drinking water needs.

How long has desalination technology been in use?

Desalination technology has been around for thousands of years, after all. Even Aristotle worked on the problem. Tantalizing as desalinated water might sound, the energy costs have made it rather unpalatable.