6.1 Benefits
Coastal populations often consider desalination as the ideal solution to provide an unlimited supply
of freshwater. Desalination technology has the ability to produce a high quality product using
minimal additional conventional drinking water treatment. In addition, desalination offers the
potential of enhanced groundwater recharge and ecosystem restoration by relieving demand on
groundwater and surface water sources, such as aquifers, rivers and streams. A benefit that
particularly appeals to water purveyors is desalination’s resistance to drought conditions. A year
round, reliable supply of high quality water is a simple justification for communities to consider
desalination as a water resource.
Desalination is also an easy option to consider for coastal communities not currently plumbed into
the existing municipal infrastructure. One compelling benefit to these communities is that small
package treatment plants are easily available for purchase from multiple manufacturers.
Desalination can offer an isolated community more autonomy and flexibility for growth when other
water resources are not available. Desalination can be used to provide potable water for
communities in Loreto that may be far from existing water infrastructure and wish to develop
independently of SAPAL.
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