How has desalination helped the Middle East?

In the arid Middle East, where fresh water is scarce and populations continue to grow, drinking or ‘potable’ water remains a highly prized commodity. For decades, the region has depended on the process of desalination, and the steel on which its structures rely, to deliver vital fresh water to its citizens.

Will desalination help to deal with water crisis?

A scientific process called desalination could help solve a looming water crisis. With a higher demand for freshwater, a growing population will continue to pressure natural freshwater resources. Through the process of desalination, scientists can turn saltwater into safe, drinking water.

What are the benefits of desalination as a resolution to water crisis in the Middle East?

The advantages of desalination plants By removing dissolved salts and other minerals from seawater, desalination plants turn salty water into fresh potable water for drinking. Saudi Arabia gets 70 percent of its fresh water via the process, meaning that it is highly beneficial for desert and drought-stricken countries.

Does the Middle East use desalination?

Desalination plants are an overuse of water resources in the Middle East. Seventy percent of desalination plants in the world are located in this area, found mostly in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain. In addition, desalination is the most energy-costing water resource.

Why is desalination important?

Desalination can turn the seawater into portable drinking water for the areas where clean water is hard to come by. It makes the water fit for drinking as well for various industrial use. It is perfect for places where clean water is not easily available.

What causes water pollution in the Middle East?

Water pollution caused by oil spills from drilling, refineries and shipping sometimes leak into rivers and water supplies. This impact irrigation and drinking water because it causes health hazards.

Where is desalination used?

The most important users of desalinated water are in the Middle East, (mainly Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain), which uses about 70\% of worldwide capacity; and in North Africa (mainly Libya and Algeria), which uses about 6\% of worldwide capacity.

How is desalination beneficial?

Desalination not only removes salt, it also removes harmful metals, chemicals, and bacteria that could be in your water source. It removes bacteria by physically excluding them through the use of chemical processes.

Who benefits from desalination?

Benefits of Seawater Desalination: Provides people with potable water (clean & fresh drinking water). Provides water to the agricultural industry. Water quality is safe (not dangerous or hazardous to any living thing). Uses tried-and-tested technology (the method is proven and effective).

Why does Saudi Arabia use desalination?

In order to overcome water scarcity, substantial investments have been undertaken in seawater desalination, water distribution, sewerage and wastewater treatment.

How does desalination help the environment?

What are the environmental impacts of desalination? Desalination has the potential to increase fossil fuel dependence, increase greenhouse gas emissions, and exacerbate climate change if renewable energy sources are not used for freshwater production. Desalination surface water intakes are a huge threat to marine life.