According to statistics, there are currently about 16,500 seawater desalination plants in operation around the world, spread across 185 countries. The plants can produce an estimated 110 million cubic meters of fresh water per day. This means that a considerable amount of seawater is desalinated every day and becomes a freshwater resource that can be used by people.

Five desalination plants built along the country's coastline — in Soreq, Hadera, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Palmachim — currently operate and two more are under construction. Collectively, these plants are projected to account for 85-90 per cent of Israel's annual water consumption, marking a remarkable turnaround.

The cost of water is a major consideration. The construction and operating costs of seawater desalination plants are high, making the cost of seawater desalination much higher than other sources of water resources, such as groundwater and river water. Secondly, the sea water desalination process may cause harm to marine life.

Desalination plants are crucial in solving freshwater shortages, but their operating costs are a challenge. This article discusses the key to the balance between operating costs and benefits of seawater desalination plants, including cost components, benefit manifestations, key factors, etc. The key to balance lies in technology selection, operational optimization, energy conservation and emission reduction, maintenance management and financing.

Ocean Water Desalination Plants are using reverse osmosis water purification technology. Chunke is leading SWRO Plant Manufacturer in China.