Desalination is a physical separation of salts from an aqueous solution, with the purpose to obtain sweet water product.

Water resources susceptible of desalination can have two basic sources: seawater or salinized groundwater, present in coastal aquifers which are directly or indirectly in contact with the sea.

PROCESSES 

The main desalination processes consist in advanced treatment processes using membranes, such as reverse osmosis (RO), reverse electrodialysis (EDR) and nanofiltration, being the RO, the mainly technology used.

The process of desalination includes a preliminary treatment with the aim of removing all elements that may cause damage and fouling over the membranes, as well as a system of remineralization at the outflow to ensure its potability for human consumption.