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Realistically, for the majority of human civilization desalination is a prime (and also becoming a much less-expensive) alternative. Considering Israel and Sin

Realistically, for the majority of human civilization desalination is a prime (and also becoming a much less-expensive) alternative. Considering Israel and Singapore have already deployed desalinated water at lower costs than regular water in many parts of western countries, it really is a moot point. Again, considering technological advances the prices will drop and once it hits a tipping point, every coastal city in the world will be able to switch as increased usage of the technology will not only mean lower construction costs of existing designs, but also lead to huge increases in research budgets. Since countries are already deploying it, it's really just a matter of time. As mattmanser is pointing out, a lot of our water is exported through food. With desalination saving river water, there's a potential to greatly increase our exportation of water-intensive crops without damaging our waterways.

pyre 16y ago
Desalination of water costs energy. If the energy costs are more than just pumping it out of an aquifer (or other fresh water source), then you're increasing your reliance on energy to get the amount of water that you need. This then increases the amount of reliance that we have on energy sources like oil just to get a basic necessity like water. > With desalination saving river water, there's a potential to greatly increase our exportation of water-intensive crops without damaging our waterways. Well, we still need waste treatment to keep those waterways clean. Let's just hope that someone doesn't come with the 'bright' idea that since we no longer rely on the waterways for drinking water, that we don't need to care about waste treatment.