Desalination
Topic: Water Resources of India: Availability, Use and Conservation · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Desalination is the removal of salt from seawater so that people can drink it or use it. Most plants use reverse osmosis. In this method, seawater is pushed at high pressure through a very fine filter (a membrane), which holds back the salt. It gives coastal cities a source of water that does not depend on rain. However, it uses a lot of energy, which makes it costly. It also leaves behind brine, a very salty waste water that has to be disposed of safely.
Example
Chennai, on the Tamil Nadu coast, has India's largest desalination plants at Minjur and Nemmeli. They supply drinking water to the city.
Don't confuse with
- Recycling and reuse of water: this cleans used water from homes and industry so it can be used again. Desalination makes seawater fit for use.
Related concepts
- Water conservation and management
- Recycling and reuse of water
- National Water Policy 2012
- Jal Kranti Abhiyan
- Jal Jeevan Mission
- Atal Bhujal Yojana
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain
- Mission Amrit Sarovar