Water Supply: RO Desalination Versus Conventional Water Treatment

Water scarcity threatens the health and development of countries worldwide due to rapid expansion population climate change, pushing government find more innovative sustainable ways address water stress. Governments have adopted reverse Osmosis (RO) seawater desalination technology for its cheap raw intake stability. However, environmental financial sustainability remains disputable. In this study, three metrics, carbon footprint, cost, waste discharge, are defined analyzed identify which supply has greater prospects. Accounting a full treatment process from transportation distribution, RO plant outruns traditional facilities less emission, limited operation cost maintenance, hazardous discharge. The qualitative quantitative analysis existing solutions may provide comprehensive understanding further supports policy making.