Desalination is the process of removing mineral components, primarily salt, from saline water (like seawater) to produce fresh water suitable for human consumption or irrigation. The most common technologies are Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) distillation. It is a critical technology for water-scarce regions.
Desalination has been used on a small scale for centuries (e.g., on ships). Large-scale industrial desalination began in the mid-20th century, with significant developments in the Middle East due to the scarcity of freshwater and abundance of energy resources.
Today, there are thousands of desalination plants worldwide, supplying water to millions of people in countries like Saudi Arabia, Israel, UAE, and Australia. The focus is now on reducing energy consumption and environmental impact (brine disposal) through renewable energy integration and membrane innovation.