In a world of shrinking water supplies will desalination provide a cure?Australia is the world's driest continent and the decade long drought has resulted in the construction of desalination plants in Australia's five largest cities at a cost of $13.2 billion. In two years, when the last plant is scheduled to be up and running, Australia’s major cities will draw up to 30 percent of their water from the sea.
Critics, however, abound because of the price of construction, its cost to the consumer, and for its contribution to global warming.
"The power needed to remove the salt from seawater accounts for up to 50 percent of the cost of desalination, and Australia relies on coal, a major emitter of greenhouse gases, to generate most of its electricity."
People close to the issue say that more can be done to conserve water and recycle.
With about 70% of the earth's area covered by water, one is reminded of the Samuel David Coleridge quote, "Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink."
