[dtel]

I am surprised this technology has not been in use for decades already.
One of the bigger mistakes of our times, IMO.

[krb]

One of the bigger mistakes of our times, IMO.

The big mistake is crowding people into areas that don't naturally support that many people.

[ckilmer]

I am surprised this technology has not been in use for decades already.
One of the bigger mistakes of our times, IMO.
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the reason the technology hasn't been in use for decades is that the price has been prohibitively high and the demand wasn't that great.

Now prices are falling as demand increases.

To get perspective on this. The cost of fresh water on the east coast of the USA runs about $25-50@acre foot. Desalination 5-6 years ago cost about $2000@ acre foot. Now desalination costs about $600@acre foot. The israelis have a way to do it for $300@acre foot.

Water for southern california currently runs about $250@acre foot.

If prices for water desalination continue to fall for the next 10--15 years at the same rate as they have for the last 5-6 years then desalinised sea water will cost the same as water on the east coast.

If you look at precipitation map of the world, you'll notice that most of the world's deserts are right beside the ocean.

Very big things start to happen when the cost of water desalination falls far enough. The biggest thing is that the 21st century civilization becomes very plausible indeed.

[elbucko]

I am surprised this technology has not been in use for decades already.

It has been used for decades, on nuclear powered aircraft carriers and submarines. The marriage of nuclear power and salt water de-salination is a natural. But the Luddites of the "Green" movement see it as a deal with the devil. Too bad.

[expatpat]

Because it's too expensive.