israel desalination case study

Question 1

what is desalination?

Answer 1

turns salt water into available fresh water

Question 2

what is the purpose of the desalination scheme in israel?

Answer 2

provide a reliable and predictable supply of water - aims to provide 70% of israel’s domestic water by 2020

Question 3

list 2 economic pros

Answer 3

extremely efficient, lowers cost of drinking water

Question 4

list 2 economic cons

Answer 4

expensive to build, expensive to maintain

Question 5

list 2 social pros

Answer 5

can provide between 60-80% of water for domestic demand, enhances water security for the nation

Question 6

list 2 social cons

Answer 6

can displace people, increased chance of having a heart attack

Question 7

list 2 environmental pros

Answer 7

reduces dependency on rainwater, reduces sewage and waste water - up to 90% of sewage is recycled

Question 8

list 2 environmental cons

Answer 8

runs on fossil fuels, wasted salinized water is pumped back into sea and caused salinisation - harmful for most marine animals

Question 9

overall is it effective?

Answer 9

to some extent, has major economic and social pros in terms of reducing water insecurity but has many environmental negatives. increased climate change and desertification leaves little alternative