Tuesday, it was posted on an engineering website that a large environmental consulting firm will be collaborating with TTIW Wetsus – Centre for Sustainable Water Technology (of the Netherlands) to begin extensive research into desalination of water supplies.
It is not clear whether this is a government funded effort, but with widespread cognition of climate change, many countries in the world are beginning to evaluate current water supplies and alternatives for future water supplies.
Knowing little about this exact project, the funding, and the entities involved, it does leave one to wonder, is this just another entity wishing to capitalize on water. It seems with increasing water scarcity many companies are jumping on-board with just such research ventures. Bringing up the new adage, is water the next oil?
Wetsus is an intermediary for trendsetting sustainable water technology knowledge development. Wetsus creates a unique environment and strategic collaboration in order to develop profitable and sustainable top water treatment technology.
- from the article referenced above.
Also, on the topic of desalination of water supplies…
It would be interesting to compile a general list of all of non-potable uses of water in the world. Would it be possible to use saline water for any of these sources, specifically in coastal areas where the effluent from treatment facilities might discharge into brackish water? Would it be possible to use a form of evaporation to cleanse and discharge saline water used for non-potable sources?
Here is an interesting post on The Sietch Blog, about a really in-expensive way to turn salty water into drinking water, the Watercone.
