Futures

Innovative Solar-Powered Desalination System Targets Groundwater for Potable Water Access, (from page 20250126.)

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Summary

Fresh water available for drinking and agriculture constitutes only about 3% of the global water supply, with 70% trapped in glaciers and ice caps. Severe droughts have limited access to potable water in regions like Jordan, Egypt, sub-Saharan Africa, Spain, and California. A potential solution is desalination, but it is energy-intensive. Researchers at MIT, led by Jonathan Bessette, have developed a solar-powered desalination system that operates without batteries or a grid connection. Most of the global population lives far from coasts, making ocean water desalination impractical. Instead, Bessette’s team focuses on groundwater, which is essential for low- to middle-income countries but often brackish due to salt absorption from the soil.

Signals

name description change 10-year driving-force relevancy
Innovative desalination technology MIT researchers have developed a solar-powered, self-regulating desalination system. Transitioning from traditional energy-intensive desalination to sustainable solar-powered solutions. In 10 years, solar desalination could provide affordable drinking water in arid regions worldwide. The need for sustainable water solutions due to increasing droughts and water scarcity. 4
Groundwater reliance in low-income countries About 50% of low- to middle-income countries depend on groundwater for their water supply. Shifting focus from surface water to groundwater sources for drinking water. Groundwater may become a primary source of potable water in many low-income regions. Increased demand for drinking water amidst climate change and population growth. 5
Brackish groundwater issues 75% of groundwater in New Mexico is brackish, limiting its potability. Moving from reliance on fresh water to addressing brackish water treatment. Advancements in brackish water treatment could lead to new drinking water sources. The pressing need for additional water sources as fresh water becomes scarce. 4
Urban water scarcity Droughts are severely impacting urban areas like California and Spain. From abundance of water resources to critical shortages in urban settings. Urban water management will evolve to prioritize efficiency and alternative sources. The urgency created by ongoing droughts and population pressures in urban areas. 5

Concerns

name description relevancy
Limited Freshwater Availability Only 3% of global water supplies are fresh and accessible, creating a serious scarcity issue for drinking and agriculture. 5
Impact of Severe Droughts Regions experiencing prolonged droughts like Jordan and California face critical water shortages, impacting millions. 5
Energy-Intensive Desalination Process Desalination requires significant energy, raising concerns about sustainability and environmental impact. 4
Inequity in Access to Desalinated Water 60% of the global population lives over 100 kilometers from coastlines, limiting access to desalinated ocean water. 4
Groundwater Brackishness Rising salinity in groundwater sources due to natural processes and droughts complicates water purification efforts. 4
Dependence on Groundwater in Low-Income Countries Heavy reliance on groundwater in low-income countries poses risks of depletion and contamination. 5

Behaviors

name description relevancy
Innovative Desalination Solutions Development of efficient, self-regulating desalination systems powered by solar energy, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources. 5
Groundwater Utilization Increased focus on extracting and treating groundwater resources to address water scarcity in low- to middle-income countries. 4
Sustainable Agriculture Practices Adoption of methods that minimize water use while maximizing crop yield, especially in areas facing severe droughts. 4
Resilience to Climate Change Communities adapting to severe droughts by exploring alternative water sources and innovative technologies. 5
Research and Development in Water Technologies Growing investment in research to create advanced water purification and desalination methods to ensure potable water availability. 4

Technologies

description relevancy src
An efficient water desalination system utilizing solar power without batteries or grid connections. 5 27bfaaa56c68657e209bee643688404c
Innovative methods for desalinating brackish groundwater to make it potable, especially for landlocked populations. 4 27bfaaa56c68657e209bee643688404c

Issues

name description relevancy
Water Scarcity Severe droughts are leading to limited access to potable water in various regions globally. 5
Desalination Technology Innovations in solar-powered desalination systems may provide sustainable solutions to drinking water shortages. 4
Groundwater Dependence About 50% of low- to middle-income countries rely on groundwater, which is becoming increasingly brackish and less available. 5
Brackish Water Issues A significant portion of groundwater is brackish, complicating access to drinkable water in various regions. 4