Using Desalination to Supplement the Groundwater Supply to Arid and Semi-arid Environments

Water insufficiency is the main hindrance to socio-economic development in Southern Africa. Water accessibility changes as the quantity and quality get negatively impacted, thereby reducing the affordability and timely access to the supply services. “Desalination of saline and brackish water is a solution that can help reduce current and future water scarcity in many parts of the world” (Isaka, Water desalination using renewable energy. ESTAP and IRENA, 2013). This chapter is a review of groundwater desalination as an augmentation option for the SADC. The chapter puts more emphasis on the energy requirements and efficiency of the desalination process.