AWWA ACE68875

This poster paper presents a seawater desalination (SWRO) project in Australia. Project drivers included the following: population growth; drought; depleted groundwater reserves; strategic water supply portfolio diversification; and, climate change models predicting less surface water runoff into impoundments. Alternatives considered included the following: extensive surface water diversions; tapping remote aquifers; wastewater and storm water reuse; interbasin transfers; new dams/impoundments; permanent water restrictions/conservation; domestic rainwater tanks; and, mandatory use of water-efficient appliances. Reasons for selecting SWRO include the following: proven technology; could be quickly implemented; less controversial than reuse; community support; lack of viable alternatives; less environmentally problematic; and, not sensitive to drought.