California Agencies are recycling wastewater into drinking water as demand grows

[Yapdatfool]

Yes true, but scientists have predicted this water shortage 30 years ago. Seems very lazy on the government's part

Converting wastewater to make it just clean enough to be put back into the bodies of water takes alot of time and money. And then converting that water into Fresh Water takes even more money and time. Now the government is about to waste so much more money than if they just planned ahead

Even as prices fall, desalinated water supplied to end-users still costs 1.5 to 4 times more than most conventional municipal freshwater sources like lakes, rivers and shallow wells:

Rivers / Lakes $0.10 — $0.50

Groundwater / Wells $0.30 — $1.00

Rainwater Harvesting $0.15 — $1.50

Wastewater Recycling $0.30 — $1.15

Seawater Desalination $0.50 — $2.50

Brackish Desalination $0.60 — $2.00

Cost Comparison — Desalination vs Alternative Water Sources​

Besides improving traditional water supply infrastructure like dams and pipelines, regions today can consider alternative water production options:

Fog Harvesting $0.10 — $0.50

Atmospheric Water Generation $0.50 — $2.00

Cloud Seeding $0.10 — $5.00

Imported Icebergs $0.60 — $3.50

Current Price Range for Desalinated Water​

The actual price of desalinated water entering distribution systems varies widely globally based on the above factors — ranging from $0.50 up to $2.50 per cubic meter:

• Middle East: Water from Saudi Arabia’s latest projects costs as low as $0.50/m3 thanks to cheap solar power and government fossil fuel subsidies.
• United States: Large inland brackish desalination plants in California and Texas supply water to cities like El Paso for $1–2/m3.
• Asia-Pacific: Singapore sells desalinated water to citizens at US$0.49/m3. Australian plants supply water to cities like Perth for around $1.75/m3.
• Europe: Prices in Spain range from $1.75-$2.50/m3 as exposure to oil prices and economic cycles add volatility.

Efforts to Reduce Desalination Prices​

With global desalination capacity expected to nearly double again by 2030, intense focus continues on improving affordability by:

• Economies of scale: Bigger plants spread fixed costs over more water volume.
• Cheaper energy sources: Renewables and nuclear instead of fossil fuels.
• Lower lifecycle costs: Infrastructure and financing optimization.
• Next-gen technologies: Forward osmosis, biomimetics, capacitive deionization, etc.
• Government support: Subsidies, partnerships, supportive regulation.
• Carbon credits: Creating certified climate benefits to boost financing.

If R&D innovations continue lowering energy demands and equipment/operating costs keep improving, desalinated water prices could realistically approach $1 per cubic meter in the next decades — making it cost competitive with conventional freshwater across more geographies.

Desalination and Water Recycling | Water for all

 

[Capitol]

Cop a water distiller if you are concerned

 

[3:30]

Partially......yes. and bottled water typically comes from the same pipes and water supply.

Breh

if I don't fukk w tap water

What makes you think I drink "purified" bottled water ?

 

[IsThatBrothaMouzone?]

I'm still confused why state governments have not invested in converting ocean saltwater into drinking water

Apparently desalination is VERY expensive on a large scale.

If they had to do it, they would....like most American innovation. If profit is involved or if we have no choice, we create awesome shyt. Otherwise it's a nothingburger.

 

[Devilinurear]

Apparently desalination is VERY expensive on a large scale.

If they had to do it, they would....like most American innovation. If profit is involved or if we have no choice, we create awesome shyt. Otherwise it's a nothingburger.

The guy you answered said he worked in a recycling plant and claims converting from sea water is cheaper.

 

[UpAndComing]

Apparently desalination is VERY expensive on a large scale.

If they had to do it, they would....like most American innovation. If profit is involved or if we have no choice, we create awesome shyt. Otherwise it's a nothingburger.

Yes. They had to do it 30 years ago which is my point. The sense of urgency to create more Desalination plants for a growing population is just not there

Like which is a more consistent resource, the vast pacific ocean or inconsistent rainfall in a part of the country that is widely known for lack of rainfall?

What is the largest ocean basin on Earth?

"The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of the world ocean basins. Covering approximately 63 million square miles and containing more than half of the free water on Earth, the Pacific is by far the largest of the world's ocean basins"