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loping technologies to capture the value of the de- 8, 10), and these goals can only be achieved if we
salination brine, specifically through the crystalliza- ensure sustainable water management. The World
tion of the product to extract lithium, magnesium, Bank estimates that 99 percent of carbon dioxide
salts, and phosphates. In the future, clean water equivalent (CO2e) involved in a business-as-usual
from desalination plants may become a byproduct. scenario could be avoided by desalination with re-
There are approximately 21,000 operational de- newable energies. Substitution of fossil energies for
salination facilities worldwide, the biggest being in renewable energies can thus be a game changer
the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. for the sustainability of desalination.
However, Saudi Arabia is still the biggest consumer
of desalinated water. Around 200 plants operate in Our mission is to build a global
the United States, where bureaucratic obstacles
have historically discouraged potentially significant network and advocate that
new projects. “desalination and reuse can
Once citizens fully grasp the power of these tech- provide a new and sustainable
nical solutions and the environmental stewardship
offered by innovation in the water sector, we expect clean water source, and reuse
a tidal wave of acceptance and support to offset will help to further meet water-
growing water needs. positive industrial operations
Desalination and reuse are the only ways to pro-
duce new water resources. These solutions enable and growing agricultural needs
us to preserve natural reserves and avoid the ove-
rexploitation of aquifers. They ultimately provide a Desalination and reuse will grow as water scarcity
climate-independent and steady supply of potable looms, renewable energy becomes more available,
and industrial water. and innovation continues to reduce cost, carbon,
and environmental footprints.
IDRA has been active for fifty The civic advantages and the societal rewards
years, is present in more than of desalination and water reuse are clear. With
the world’s drinking water supply at risk and so
“sixty countries, and is allied much industrial and wastewater going untreated,
with fifteen affiliated regional these processes offer practical and functional
solutions for water security. My vision is that we
and national associations will continually push innovation and drive new
technology to offset the inevitable environmental
The United Nations has recognized that unconven- impacts of climate change and global warming.
tional resources (desalination and reuse) are a cru- Our members do this daily, and we are honored
cial tool in the fight against water scarcity and a way to work alongside them to promote these inno-
to take significant water action. Water flows throu- vative solutions and help to secure water for all
gh all 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). supporting UN SDG#6.
Water is highly critical to seven SDGs (1, 2, 3, 6,

Impiantistica Italiana - Maggio-Giugno 2024 17