Last Update: 04/05/2026 at 2:50 PM EST
Desalination Grows Despite Climate Costs
Coverage from NBCDFW, NBC 5 DFW, and others
Articles
4
Latest Article
04/01
Active Days
77
Executive Summary
Desalination is expanding in drought-hit regions, but high energy use and brine discharge raise emissions and marine impact concerns.
- Reverse osmosis is the dominant modern method, forcing seawater through membranes to make drinking water
- Thermal desalination still exists but usually uses more energy than reverse osmosis
- More than 20,000 desalination plants operate worldwide and the industry has grown about 7% annually since 2010
- Kuwait and Oman get more than 85% of drinking water from desalination
- Use is rising in Africa, Australia, the US, and Pacific islands as saltwater intrusion and drought worsen
- Plants are estimated to emit 500 million to 850 million tons of carbon each year
- Brine discharge and intake systems can harm seafloor habitats, coral reefs, larvae, and plankton
Quick Facts
- What: Expanding desalination to supply drinking water
- Where: Middle East Africa Australia United States and Pacific islands
- Why: Climate-driven drought and water scarcity are worsening
- Who: Water utilities companies and drought-hit regions worldwide
- When: Growth has accelerated steadily since 2010
Coverage Timeline: 77 Days
Featured Article
Regions facing drought and saltwater intrusion are expanding desalination, led by reverse osmosis, despite energy and brine-related environmental impacts.
Additional Articles
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Desalination expands freshwater supply in climate-stressed regions but creates carbon-emitting energy demand and marine impacts from brine discharge and intake mortality.
Desalination use grows in drought-affected regions, particularly in the Middle East, as reverse osmosis expands despite emissions and brine-related ocean impacts.
OceanWell proposes subsea desalination pods offshore Southern California to cut energy use by roughly 40 percent and produce up to 60 million gallons of freshwater daily.