this post was submitted on 01 Oct 2023
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Desalination system could produce freshwater that is cheaper than tap water::A new solar desalination system takes in saltwater and heats it with natural sunlight. The system flushes out accumulated salt, so replacement parts aren’t needed often, meaning the system could potentially produce drinking water that is cheaper than tap water.

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[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world 46 points 1 year ago (15 children)

We get one of these reports every few years, and I'll believe it when I see it. The problem with desalination is it just creates yet another ecological disaster scenario. The waste byproducts are toxic, and as Israel has already proven multiple times, prone to cause issues with the balance of ecosystems surrounding intake ports.

[–] SickPanda@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago (10 children)

Which byproducts, Isn't salt water just water + salt?

Or do you refer to the machine?

[–] pneumaticFax@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago

Salt brine is highly corrosive to anything in contact with it so it is difficult to move, and in high concentrations wreaks absolute havoc in surrounding ecosystems. There’s a reason the phrase ‘salting the earth’ doesn’t have a good connotation. Desalination on a small scale might not seem like an issue but when dealing with the waste at scale becomes a bigger issue than even the energy cost to perform.

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