Simply stated, the world is running out of fresh water. While 70 percent of the Earth's surface is covered with water, only about .007 percent of it is accessible, safe and acceptable for human use. The vast majority, 97.5 percent, is salt water. The combination of a growing population and rapid industrialization is creating a greater demand for a shrinking resource. Already, 20 percent of the global population in 30 countries is experiencing a water shortage – a number that is projected to grow to 30 percent of the population in 50 countries by 2025. The United Nations predicts that by 2050, up to 2 billion people worldwide could face a major water shortage. No. It is worldwide. In the United States, for example, there are predictions that 36 states could have water shortages within the next 5 to 10 years. In Australia, rainfall in catchments serving towns and cities is down by as much as 80 percent. And of China's 669 major cities, 440 face water shortages. Seawater desalination refers to the process of making safe drinking water from the salty ocean or brackish water. The salts and other impurities are removed through a process known as reverse osmosis (RO) membrane filtration, a proven method that produces some of the highest-quality drinking water available anywhere. The older technologies utilize a thermal (heat) process for evaporation and desalination, which are only used in countries with cheap electricity and excessive wasted heat, since thermal processes require significantly more power for desalination as compared to RO. First, seawater is collected through an open intake or series of brackish water wells. Then the water goes through a pretreatment process. There are many options for pretreatment of seawater. The most reliable and consistent water quality is obtained when a low-pressure membrane filtration (either microfiltration or ultrafiltration) is utilized. This level of pretreatment removes suspended and particulate impurities, as well as bacteria and pathogens and helps reduce the fouling and scaling of the RO membranes. The pretreated water then flows into the RO membrane elements and only pure water makes it through, leaving the salt residue behind. This salty residue (concentrate) is then diluted with ambient seawater and discharged back into the ocean. Yes. The treatment process ensures that it is clean, pure, non-corrosive and meets all U.S. federal and state drinking water standards as well as those of the World Health Organization (WHO) for overseas projects. Typically, the water is then post-treated and pH adjusted to ensure it is non-corrosive and compatible to distribution system piping. Unlike land-based desalination plants, our Seawater Desalination Vessel™ (SDV™) produces drinking water using processes that were developed to protect the ocean's ecological balance. Seawater is drawn through the Intake Water System using low-velocity pumps and is also equipped with a passive screen, all of which minimizes entrainment and impingement of marine life. The discharge water is diffused back into the ocean incorporating the Multi-Port Diffusion System with its corresponding control systems. The Multi-Port Diffusion System - a design unique to WATER STANDARD - diffuses the discharge water regardless of changing ocean conditions and is capable of meeting the most stringent discharge requirements. The system also eliminates the recirculation of discharge water back into the Intake Water System. We use multiple proven methods of water transmission based upon local requirements. Some methods of water transportation include permanent seabed pipelines, transfer flex hoses and shuttle ships. Once on land, a customer's water storage facilities or distribution means will be used. No. The water purified on the SDV™ will be ready for distribution and will meet the client's water specifications. In certain cases, if requested, the post-treatment can be placed on land instead of on the vessel. There are a number of benefits. To begin with, the SDV™ is typically moored one to three or more kilometers offshore. Therefore, it is out of sight, does not affect the shoreline and eliminates the visibility, light, noise and vibration issues associated with land-based desalination facilities. The water it intakes is also a better quality water with lower suspended solids, reducing the pretreatment costs associated with power, chemicals and waste disposal. And since it produces its own energy, it does not have to co-locate near a power plant. Finally, the fact that it is mobile ensures that the SDV™ is not vulnerable to storms, earthquakes, blackouts or rolling brownouts. For a more detailed examination of the benefits of sea-based desalination – and WATER STANDARD's technologies and processes – click here. The SDV™ can self-generate power on-board, eliminating the need to be located near or connected to a power grid. Energy efficiency is increased with no transmission line loss between power plant and desalination site. The first ship is designed to utilize new generation diesel generator technology with full emission control Tier ii standards. Other power sources may be considered depending on the fuel type available, the environmental considerations, regulatory requirements and preferences of the specific client. A SDV™ can deliver a capacity of 5 to 75 million gallons per day (mgd) or 20,000 to 300,000 cubic meters per day (m³/d) on a short-term, long-term or on-demand basis. Production can also be tailored to local demand. Speed to market is another distinct advantage. A SDV™ can be built, delivered and operational within 18 to 24 months and in some fast track cases 12 to 14 months. And because of the minimal environmental impact of the SDV™, where permitting is required, the process is faster and less complex than that for a land-based desalination plant. Additionally, pilot studies can in most cases be eliminated because the parameters of our state-of-the-art pretreatment system are designed conservatively. WATER STANDARD has significant flexibility to customize contracts for individual or regional entities on a short-term, long-term (up to 20 years) or on-demand basis.