Simply stated, the world is running out of fresh water. While 60 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 five 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 pure drinking water without upsetting the ocean ecology. Our processes not only minimize the impact on marine life, but can also save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Marine life can be sensitive to sudden changes in salinity concentrations and temperature variations. The SDV's Salinity Plume Deterrent System prevents these changes by quickly and significantly diluting the concentrate flow stream with ambient seawater. During this mixing process, the salt content of the concentrate is rebalanced to nearly the same salinity and temperature as the ambient surface seawater. This ensures that minimal sea life is harmed by the discharged exit water. We use multiple proven methods, based upon local requirements. Once on land, a utility's existing water tanks can be used and will remain fully operational. No. The water purified on the SDV will be ready for distribution and meets the client's water standards. 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 two to five kilometers offshore. So 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. 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 in many instances will have a smaller carbon footprint than land-based options because it is more fuel efficient; its ability to produce power onboard eliminates line loss associated with land-based power plants; it does not need water to produce power, thus further reducing energy consumption; and it does not rely on land-based power often fueled by coal. The vessel can be equipped with a variety of power sources, depending on the fuel type available, the environmental considerations, regulatory requirements, and preferences of the specific client. An SDV can process between 20,000 to 300,000 cubic meters per day on a short-term, long-term, or on-demand basis. Production can also be tailored to local demand. Speed is another distinct advantage. An SDV can be built, delivered, and operational within 18 to 24 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 Company will work with each client to determine the optimal contract structure to meet their needs. Examples of structures include, but are not limited to, long-term water supply under the traditional BOO model of Build Own Operate or in conjunction with partner joint ventures. For short-term water supply it can be readiness contracts.