Last updated on April 14th, 2025 at 10:49 am
Seawater desalination has been around for centuries and started off even before the two world wars. The idea was to use seawater to produce fresh drinking water. For centuries, however, freshwater sources all around the world were being used excessively for household purposes in countries all around the world. It was not until recently that in the past decade or two, the use of seawater is being considered to fulfill our freshwater needs.
The concept of desalination on a larger scale hasn’t struck a chord with many countries due to its higher costs however many countries have already begun using it as a solution for their water problems. Here are some facts about seawater desalination you probably don’t know!
- Seawater desalination is not just about Reverse Osmosis. It loosely means turning water from the oceans into freshwater and it can be done through the process of distillation too.
- For around 200 years from 1748, when reverse osmosis was discovered, seawater was distilled through thermal purification for pure water supply. It was in 1950 when the University of California tested Reverse Osmosis for the desalination process.
- According to the International Desalination Association, in June 2015, 18,426 desalination plants operated worldwide, producing 86.8 million cubic meters per day, providing water for 300 million people.
- More and more desalination facilities are in the process of installation for meeting the demands of fresh water.
- As of 2013, Dubai was sourcing over 98% of its potable water supply from seawater desalination.
- The Military, Navy, Marines, Army and Airforce, everyone uses RO desalination units for production of fresh water during their missions.
- The top three desalination countries are Saudi Arabia with 17 percent of global output, the United Arab Emirates with 13.4 percent, and the United States with 13 percent.
- Almost every industry in the world uses reverse osmosis and desalination for helping them with certain profiles of water used for the manufacturing of products.
- Desalinated water typically costs about $2,000 an acre-foot — roughly the amount of water a family of five uses in a year.
- Energy is the largest single expense for desalination plants, accounting for as much as half of the costs to make drinking water from the sea.
- Desalination is looked at now for relieving the plight of millions of people suffering due to drought in Arid Regions. Desalination plants operate in more than 100 countries. Israel, California, parts of Australia Kuwait, Egypt, Qatar are a few countries who have achieved efficiency in providing water for their populations with just desalination.
- It takes about 2 gallons (8 liters) of seawater to make 1 gallon (4 liters) of freshwater.
- A thousand gallons of freshwater from a desalination plant cost the average US consumer $2.50 to $5, compared to $2 for conventional freshwater.
Because of its cost and energy requirements, this process was largely ignored for centuries. However, desalination has seen tremendous changes and improvement in its technology which has resulted in the world accepting it as a solution to solve the water crisis everywhere.
How many of these facts about desalination did you know?
About The Author:
Ampac USA is a leader for 22 years in producing water treatment and desalination systems for industries, desalination plants and commercial businesses all over the world. The expert team and customized support are what makes our services the best in the field. Know more about reverse osmosis, water desalination, and equipment through our site and blogs.
Sources:
- https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-08/california-sees-salvation-in-seawater-as-drought-drags-on
- https://www.reuters.com/article/us-water-technology-factbox-sb/factbox-key-facts-about-water-desalination-idUSTRE52B07J20090312
- https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-09-23/desalination-plants-supply-98-8-of-dubai-s-water-forum-is-told
- https://www.mercurynews.com/2014/05/29/nations-largest-ocean-desalination-plant-goes-up-near-san-diego-future-of-the-california-coast/
