Within two decades, scientists will figure out a very cheap way to desalinate ocean water.
Even the Sahara Desert will be an oasis.
How much per gallon does it cost to desalinate ocean water.
AI:
The cost to desalinate ocean water typically ranges from $0.0016 to $0.01 per gallon, depending on location, technology, scale, and energy costs. For example, Israel’s Sorek Phase II plant achieved a record-low cost of $0.0016 per gallon, while other projects range up to $0.01 per gallon. Costs are heavily influenced by energy consumption, with reverse osmosis (RO) plants using 3–4 kWh per cubic meter, and operational expenses (especially electricity) making up 40–50% of total costs. Economies of scale, renewable energy integration, and technological advances have significantly reduced prices—by up to 45% over the past decade—making desalination increasingly cost-competitive, especially in water-scarce regions ...
While it cost a resident of NYC per gallon of water:
The average cost of tap water for NYC residents is approximately $0.00015 per gallon. This is based on an average residential water bill of about $5 per month for 7,480 gallons (100 cubic feet), making municipal tap water significantly cheaper than desalinated water.
The issue is what to do with all that salt.
What scientists? I figured it out years ago. Lifeboats are provided with solar desal kits for drinking water. In places like the CA coast, the same concept writ large would easily supply plenty of drinking-quality water.
Wind and solar power would operate the pumps. Solar evaporation would take care of the purifying. And the by-product, sea salt, could be marketed (or the brine returned to the sea).
They have, the deserts in Israel are lush with vegetables and olive gardens. The majority of the water for this is from desalinization.