The UK can no longer rely on rainfall; desalination can help move us from scarcity to security
Jordan Rowse, Water Sector Lead at Copper Consultancy, and Rod Naylor, Global Water Lead at GHD, outline how the UK’s water sector companies must seriously consider desalination as an aspect of future water resource strategies as they face mounting challenges from climate change and population growth.
Desalination occupies an uncomfortable position in the UK’s water debate.
Often portrayed as expensive, energy-intensive and environmentally damaging, it is traditionally viewed as a technology of last resort. After all, why deal with the energy-intensive hassle to desalinate when the alternative is free-falling rain?
A changing water landscape
Yet this attitude is increasingly out of touch with the realities facing the UK. Three droughts in five years outlines what water companies will increasingly need to grapple with in the future. Add to this the impact of population growth, and it is easy to see how the limits to a water resource strategy based on abundant rainfall and natural resources will be quickly exposed.
For these reasons, it’s clear the time for sidelining desalination is over: recent experiences outline how, if we are to avoid significant future water scarcity in the UK, desalination will play an increasingly important role as part of a wider response to water resilience challenges. It is not the silver bullet, but can play a vital role within the armoury of breaking a cycle of drought.
The case for desalination
Many may say this is all well and good, but what is the case for it? Well, there is a clear one, and it is compelling. Unlike other water sources, desalination is climate-independent. As weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, desalination offers reliability which conventional resources won’t always be able to guarantee.
Despite this, critics abound. While many come with good intentions, in reality the issues they raise are becoming increasingly weaker to justify.
Addressing energy concerns
By far the most prominent is desalination’s energy requirements, and the concerns around sustainably delivering of the technology. Such concerns overlook progress in treatment technologies, the energy required, and renewable energy integration.
Around 1,000 litres of desalinated water – enough to provide a days’ worth for a family of four – can be created for just 2.5 kWh of energy, roughly the energy needed to drive several kilometres. And as renewable energy capacity rises, demand can be increasingly met from clean sources.
Protecting the environment
Environmental considerations also form a key area of concern. Marine habitats do require careful protection from poorly delivered schemes – but this should not be a barrier. Projects which identify environmental constraints early and allow them to shape design, site selection and infrastructure decisions can mitigate impact.
Regulation presents a similar lesson. Robust environmental evidence, transparent assessment and early engagement with regulators should not be obstacles to overcome. Instead, they are fundamental ingredients of successful delivery – the most effective projects recognise this early and build their programmes accordingly.
Building public acceptance
Perhaps the most important area, however, concerns public acceptance. Desalination is not the ‘done thing’ in the UK compared to other countries, such as Australia. Public understanding is therefore low, meaning concerns shape the wider debate. It means water companies face a tricky challenge: desalination is needed, but making the case for it is hard to do.
So what is the solution? Better, more frequent, more honest engagement. Engaging with the public awareness cannot be treated as a tick box exercise once a project is largely defined.
Communities, regulators and stakeholders need to be provided with a strong case early on in projects for desalination. Too often, conversations focus only on the impacts of delivering desalination projects, and not on the impacts of not delivering them.
And they need to be involved early to understand how water insecurity will create environmental, social and economic consequences of its own that must be resolved. Starting engagement early in the process and providing space for the public to engage not only will therefore help dispel misunderstanding, but tap into the increasing desire of the public to be involved early in development conversations.
Communicating desalination’s role
Specifically, water companies need to build clear, consistent and easily understood messaging which outlines how desalination is not an alternative to leakage reduction, demand management, or reservoirs, but something which complements them.
And a positive focus – rather than a scaremongering approach around water scarcity – can support that journey. Focussing on water literacy will play a big part in helping customers understand the situation we are in. Still, too many do not understand where their water comes from or where it goes. The water cycle a distant memory from primary school. Water companies need to focus not just on water, but the things that matter to people which are affected by water; economic opportunity, equality, recreation, healthy living, food supply and abundant energy.
From scarcity to opportunity
Fundamentally, planning and talking about abundance and opportunity present a much more engaging and enticing concept for people to come to agree with than tackling scarcity. If recent projects have taught us anything, it is that success depends on far more than technology alone.
It will require environmental leadership, regulatory confidence and public trust. Critically, it will rely on building a vision where desalination is seen as part of the transition to making water renewable in the same way wind power is making energy renewable. Crack this, and desalination could become a cornerstone of a more resilient and secure future.
As a society, it is within our control to be able to create enough water, like energy, to operate our economic system without continuing to damage our environment. Now, we simply need to make the case for, and deliver, it.
Get in touch
Get in touch via water@copperconsultancy.com if you have any questions or wish to discuss your project in the sector.