Is a Desalination Plant the answer to Water shortage?

@jennybianca (12912)
Australia
September 8, 2007 7:35am CST
A desalination plant is a system whereby salt water can be treated enough to be used by people. It can be drunk, bathed in, watered the garden & do our washing with. This is an excellent idea for countries that have a severe water shortage. It costs hundreds of millions of dollars to build. This is an incredible amount of money, that I guess will be taken away from other needy services. Also, a Desalination plant will add $300 to $600 each year to household water bills. Another issue to consider with a desalination plant, is where to put the brine? On the surface, a desalination plant seems to be the answer to severe water restrictions, but the cost, the side effects.. one wonders if it is worth it. Should we just wait for rain to fall? What are you views on desalination plants?
3 people like this
5 responses
• India
10 Jan 08
I think I only drink about 3-4 glasses of water a day. They said that we must have to drink 8-12 glasses of water I cant even manage to drink a full glass of water in one drinking. I have been told by my dads Doctor that they classify coffee as water. he is to drink a lot of water but doesn't and drinks a lot of coffee. His Dr said thats still water though. So along those lines I drink maybe 3 gallons of water a day as I drink about 6 or so 20 ounce bottles of water. I don't really like the taste of water, It is important to drink it. I wouldn't want to get dehydrated.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
11 Feb 08
I had always heard that drinking coffee does not count as drinking water!
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
9 Sep 07
Ok, it's raining here in Michigan today and we have 1000s of lakes, rivers, and streams in and around our state so water shortage has never been a concern for me personally. I can however see a great advantage to people in areas where there isn't and abundance of water and imagine the extra expense would be well worth it when you needed a drink of water.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
9 Sep 07
Yes, it is very expensive, but we need water from somewhere. Our state only has a tiny part of one river, & that is drying up.
• United States
8 Sep 07
Considering the way we tend to waste our precious water resources it is a good idea. So many take for granted that water isn't an endless resource. Despite the cost, it is a great way to take up the slack when we do have water shortages.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
8 Sep 07
I think it is inevitable, despite the cost. There is already one desalination plant set up on Kangaroo Island, I drink the water from that.
@GardenGerty (157692)
• United States
8 Sep 07
I had not ever been in a situation to consider this kind of technology very much, as I do not live near either coast. I do think you have done a very concise job of bringing up the questions that are involved.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
9 Sep 07
This could only work for cities near the oceans, I imagine. Although the benefits of saved wate would benefit the whoe state.
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
8 Sep 07
Hi jennybianca! I agree with you that on the surface, desalination plants would be very helpful especially on countries with severe water shortage. But on the other hand, the cost and the sie effects that will be incurred is another story. I am just fortunate that we don't experience any water shortage as of yet although we are facing drought here in our country in the months to come as forecasted by our government. I just hope it wouldn't come to the point of having our government to have one because our country has so much debt already with the World Bank, and in doing so will make us pay more in our taxes and increase poverty level here in our country. But if it is a need really, then why not as long as it will not be overpriced by corrupt officials. Take care and have a nice day.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
9 Sep 07
The cost is veey significant, but I suspect that we have no choice now, with the drought continuing.