In order to maintain economic development and minimize future regional and international conflicts, the United States will need sustainable supplies of high-quality fresh water. Solutions to local water scarcity issues will likely require a combination of approaches, including demand management, improved water storage capacity, water quality protection, and advancements in supply-enhancing water treatment technologies. Desalination technologies can create new sources of freshwater from otherwise impaired waters such as seawater or brackish water. However, like nearly all new fresh water sources, desalinated water comes at substantially higher costs than today’s existing water sources, keeping these technologies out of the reach of many communities
