Environmentalists worry that seawater desalination projects may have negative impacts on local fisheries and marine ecosystems. Seawater desalination plants may inhale marine life, especially fish larvae, causing damage to fishery resources. In addition, wastewater and salt water may be discharged during the sea water desalination process, causing pollution and disturbance to the marine ecosystem.

This article analyzes the cost structure of desalination process, including technology, energy, scale, and other aspects. Although the current costs are relatively high, progress in technological innovation, economies of scale, and maintenance management will gradually reduce costs.