Desalination Efforts in India

Desalination in India: Technology, Benefits, Challenges, and Future Outlook

1. Why is desalination gaining importance in India?

India’s growing population, frequent droughts, and uneven freshwater availability have made desalination a practical solution, especially for coastal states with access to seawater or brackish groundwater.

2. Which states are leading in desalination efforts?

• Tamil Nadu: Chennai leads with Minjur and Nemmeli plants. A larger plant at Perur is under development.
• Gujarat: Plans desalination plants in Jamnagar, Dwarka, Kutch, and Bhavnagar.
• Andhra Pradesh & Lakshadweep: Have smaller desalination initiatives.
• Maharashtra: Exploring a major plant, especially for Mumbai.

3. What technology is used in Indian desalination plants?

• Reverse Osmosis (RO): Seawater is pushed through membranes to remove salts.
• Energy Recovery Devices: Reduce power use by recovering energy from pressurized brine.
• Solar-Powered Desalination: Being explored to lower environmental impact.
• Advanced Pre-Treatment: Improves membrane lifespan and reduces fouling.
• Brine Management: Efforts are underway to safely dispose of or reuse salty wastewater.

4. Major benefits of desalination

• Reliable source of drinking water in water-stressed regions.
• Reduces overdependence on monsoon or river sources.
• Supports disaster-resilient urban planning.
• Meets industrial and urban water demand in coastal cities.

5. Challenges of desalination in India

• High Cost: Infrastructure and energy requirements make it expensive.
• Brine Disposal: Improper disposal can harm marine life.
• Energy Demand: High power use increases emissions unless renewable sources are used.
• Lack of Policy: No uniform national policy for desalination yet, making planning uneven.

6. Future outlook

India is expected to scale up desalination, especially in cities facing water crises. Research in low-cost, low-impact desalination and integration with solar energy is underway. There is also a growing need for a national framework to regulate and guide desalination projects.