Did you know that while 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered in water, less than 1% is drinkable? This alarming statistic highlights a critical global issue: water scarcity. 

As populations grow and climate change exacerbates droughts, and glaciers melting, the demand for fresh water continues to outstrip supply. The World Resources Institute predicts that by 2040, up to 25% of the world’s population could face chronic water shortages.

The causes of water scarcity are multifaceted. Key factors include increased temperature, over-extraction of freshwater aquifers, desertification, poor infrastructure, and overuse from industry and agriculture. Contaminants like forever chemicals, heavy metals, and pathogens further degrade water quality. Lack of clean water leads to serious health issues, with 3.5 million people, mostly children, dying annually from inadequate access to clean water and sanitation.

Desalination technologies present promising solutions to this growing crisis. The solution can provide a reliable and sustainable source of freshwater, particularly in coastal areas and regions facing severe freshwater shortages.  

For instance, in regions like Mozambique, where the World Bank’s ‘WASH Poverty Diagnostic’ research shows that only 32% of rural areas and 69% of urban areas have access to improved water sources, advanced water treatment solutions can play a crucial role . However, we must address the root causes of water scarcity.

The role of desalination  in addressing water scarcity

Desalination, or “desal,” is a process that transforms seawater into drinkable water by removing salt and minerals. This technology has roots dating back to Aristotle, with significant use starting in 1560 in Djerba, Tunisia. The British Navy built the first seawater desalination plant in 1869. The 1960s marked the beginning of the modern era, with innovations such as reverse osmosis membranes. Today, advancements in large-scale projects and technology continue to drive desalination as a vital solution to water scarcity.

For example, this technology has been crucial in arid regions like the Middle East and North Africa, Australia, Singapore, Israel, Spain, the United States, and a plethora of  island countries, where natural freshwater resources are scarce. Today, over 120 countries have desalination plants, with Saudi Arabia leading in production. The United States employs this technology, with the largest desalination plant in the Western Hemisphere located in Carlsbad, California.

Desalination provides a reliable source of freshwater, especially valuable in coastal regions where traditional water sources are drying up due to climate change and overuse. The two main methods are thermal distillation and membrane filtration, also known as reverse osmosis. 

1. Thermal Desalination

Thermal desalination, also known as distillation, has been the traditional method of desalination. This process involves heating saltwater to produce steam, which is then condensed to yield freshwater, leaving the salt behind. Most thermal desalination plants utilize waste heat from power plants to heat seawater or brackish water. The heated water then evaporates in a vacuum, and the steam condenses on pipes containing a cooling liquid. While this method remains significant, particularly in the Arab world, its popularity is waning due to its high energy requirements.

The energy cost for thermal desalination plants can constitute 40 to 50 percent of the total production cost. This high energy consumption makes the process expensive and environmentally challenging, especially in regions where fossil fuels are the primary energy source. Despite these challenges, thermal desalination continues to be a viable option in energy-rich countries where waste heat is readily available.

2. Reverse Osmosis

Reverse osmosis has emerged as the leading technology in desalination, accounting for approximately 80 percent of all desalination plants worldwide. This process involves forcing saltwater through a semipermeable membrane under high pressure. The membrane allows water molecules to pass through while blocking salt and other impurities. Over the years, advancements in membrane technology have significantly reduced the energy required for reverse osmosis, making it a more sustainable and cost-effective option.

For example, the energy demand for reverse osmosis has decreased from 15–20 kWh/m³ in the early stages to 3.5–4.5 kWh/m³ today. This reduction is due to the development of more efficient membranes and energy recovery systems. However, the energy efficiency of reverse osmosis is still influenced by the salinity of the source water; higher salinity requires more pressure and, consequently, more energy.

For instance, the Al Taweelah plant in Abu Dhabi is leading the charge in combining renewable energy. This state-of-the-art facility utilizes a combination of solar and wind energy to power its desalination processes, drastically reducing its carbon footprint. In fact, the plant’s hybrid renewable energy system supports its production of 900,000 cubic meters of water per day—enough to supply 500,000 people—while slashing its CO2 emissions by approximately 50%.

The global impact of desalination 

Desalination plants currently produce 56 billion liters of fresh water daily, which is sufficient to provide approximately 7 liters per person globally. 

The Middle East and North Africa, together account for 39% of global desalination capacity. With the global population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, the demand for water will inevitably intensify, making desalination technologies increasingly vital. 

Adding to the urgency, Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to experience the most significant rise in water demand, with a projected increase of 163% by mid-century, according to the World Resources Institute. This dramatic rise emphasizes the critical need for sustainable integrated water resources management solutions, particularly in regions facing rapid population growth and mounting water scarcity.

Can we all afford desalination?

While desalination offers a promising solution to water scarcity, it is not without its challenges. One of the most significant barriers is the cost. As mentioned above, desalination is an energy-intensive process, requiring substantial infrastructure and operational expenses. This means it’s often out of reach for developing countries. The costs come from the energy used in desalination processes and dealing with the salty waste, known as brine, which is diluted before discharged.

For many developing countries, the high cost of building and running desalination plants can be too much. This creates a problem of fairness, as these countries might struggle to use this technology. So, while desalination could help provide fresh water, it’s not a solution everyone can afford without extra financial and technical assistance.

If these challenges remain unaddressed, the consequences are dire. Safe drinking water and basic sanitation are fundamental human rights, yet billions are deprived of these necessities. As it stands, 844 million people lack access to safe drinking water, and 2.3 billion do not have adequate sanitation facilities. Without overcoming the barriers to desalination, the disparity in water access will continue to widen, leaving the most vulnerable populations at an even greater disadvantage.

How IDRA contributes to the solution

As global water scarcity becomes a pressing issue, the International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA) is making a significant impact. With over 2,600 core and 4,000 affiliate members worldwide, 15 affiliates and a plethora of strategic partners, coupled with recognition from the United Nations, IDRA is dedicated to advancing desalination and water reuse technologies, with a focus on cost, decarbonization, and brine management. 

Today, IDRA supports this by promoting energy-efficient desalination methods and advocating guidelines for environmental care. This helps make desalination more affordable and effective. One of IDRA’s key messages is “Be Water Positive +.” This program encourages end user organizations to use and recover water more efficiently, helping to reduce overall water use and protect the watersheds they operate in. This initiative supports not only well-off regions but also aims to make these technologies accessible to developing countries.

By advocating for better technologies, regulations, project models and finance, and water stewardship, IDRA is helping to address water shortages worldwide. Their work is essential for ensuring that both developed and developing nations can access clean, safe water for all.

Reference

https://www.themomentum.com/articles/can-desalination-solve-the-water-crisis 

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/04/desalination-drinking-water-water-scarcity/#:~:text=One%20solution%20to%20meet%20the,to%20clean%2C%20safe%20drinking%20water. 

https://www.fairplanet.org/story/is-desalination-the-answer-to-global-water-shortage/ 

https://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/news/will-desalination-and-clean-energy-solve-the-global-water-crisis/ 

https://www.preventionweb.net/news/desalination-may-be-key-averting-global-water-shortage-it-will-take-time