Quenching thirst with desalinated ideas

As the threat of water scarcity increases, EU member states may consider resorting to water desalination, a process which converts salt water to fresh water.

But critics of desalination argue that it is less energy-efficient and more expensive than alternatives such as improving water efficiency or reusing waste water.

In its recent paper on water scarcity and drought, the European Commission called "water alternatives" a last resort and made clear that water efficiency should be the priority. While experts agree with the Commission that water-efficiency measures should be taken before resorting to desalination, many countries already use desalinated water as an additional source. Malta relies on desalination for 57% of its water supply.

Malta's use of desalination is understandable: it has a hot, dry climate that lacks surface water, but, according to a Commission offical "even in the UK where it rains all the time, they have already started looking into water desalination techniques". "Desalination," he added, "has made enormous progress in cost per cubic metre. You can now purchase desalination machines for your own home, they are practically over-the-counter, though they are not meant to serve large communities."

Beate Werner, head of the water and agriculture group at the European Environment Agency, says: "We need to have a water policy that focuses on demand rather than supply. I know that certain countries are in favour of water desalination, but in my view, we should first focus on water saving and water efficiency."

"Once we have put all of these measures in place," she says, "we might be able to look at desalination as one measure in a set of many, but it should be very low on the hierarchy of appropriate measures to tackle water scarcity."

As the threat of water scarcity increases, EU member states may consider resorting to water desalination, a process which converts salt water to fresh water.