Desalination

As cities face increasing water management problems, some companies and elected officials are pushing an expensive, energy-intensive technology called ocean water desalination. Desalination separates salt from seawater. It might sound like a good idea, but this technology’s cons far outweigh its potential benefits.

Desalination shouldn’t be used as a quick fix to our water shortage problems. Conservation and recycling programs may be a much less expensive and less risky alternative to building desalination plants. If you’re from California, Florida, Massachusetts, or Texas, you’ll want to pay particular attention because desal companies want to make your state a national guinea pig.

LOCAL CAMPAIGNS 

Is desalination being considered in your community? Find out why you should support conservation instead of desalination:

Coquina Coast, FL

Marin, CA

Huntington Beach, CA

Rockland County, NY

Take Action

Tell Congress conservation and efficiency measures need to be exhausted before taxpayers foot the bill for the biggest and dirtiest, wasteful technologies, such as seawater desalination facilities.

Learn more

Read our report, Desalination: An Ocean of Problems, and find out why desalination is not the best solution for water shortages.