Desalination of seawater using reverse osmosis is now one of the most efficient and sustainable technologies for producing drinking water in coastal areas or regions with a shortage of fresh water. This process separates salts and impurities from seawater using semi-permeable membranes, ensuring high-quality water that meets drinking water standards.

The treatment begins with a pre-filtration stage, which is essential to protect the membranes from clogging and premature wear. The water passes through a series of filters to remove solid particles, microorganisms and organic substances that could compromise the system’s performance. In addition, chemical treatment is carried out to prevent the formation of scale and biological growth on the membranes, ensuring the plant operates efficiently and lasts for a long time.

Once pre-treated, the water is pressurised and passed through reverse osmosis membranes. Thanks to their selective structure, these membranes allow water molecules to pass through, whilst retaining the dissolved salts, heavy metals and pollutants present in seawater. The result is a permeate with extremely low salinity and a salt concentrate that is disposed of in a controlled manner to minimise environmental impact.

After passing through the membranes, the resulting water must undergo a remineralisation process. As reverse osmosis removes almost all minerals, it is necessary to rebalance the water’s chemical composition by adding essential salts such as calcium and magnesium. This stage is essential to ensure that the drinking water is suitable for human consumption and compatible with the distribution infrastructure.

Finally, the water undergoes a final stage of disinfection before being fed into the water supply network. The use of chlorine or other disinfectants helps to maintain the microbiological quality of the water throughout the distribution network, preventing secondary contamination. The efficiency of the reverse osmosis process enables the production of drinking water with optimised energy consumption, thanks in part to the use of energy recovery systems that reduce operating costs and improve the plant’s sustainability.

Reverse osmosis is now the most reliable solution for desalinating seawater, thanks to its high efficiency in removing salts and its ability to adapt to a variety of operating conditions. The use of advanced technologies and continuous improvements in membrane performance help to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact, making this process increasingly sustainable and accessible for the production of drinking water worldwide.