Exploring the Cost-Effective Method of Extracting Water from the Ocean Floor
In the heart of California, off the coast of Malibu, a groundbreaking development is taking shape. The Water Farm 1 (WF1) facility, a new reverse osmosis plant, is being installed at a depth of 400 meters, leveraging the natural pressure of the ocean to revolutionise seawater desalination.
The WF1 facility is a joint project with the water supplier Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) and is expected to produce 3.7 million liters of drinking water per day. This innovative approach to desalination promises to relieve the overstrained water supply system in California, which is primarily dependent on the Colorado River and unsustainable groundwater extraction.
Unlike conventional desalination plants, WF1 boasts a 36% lower energy demand. This is achieved by the reverse osmosis process, where saltwater is pressed through a membrane with fine pores, preventing the passage of salt molecules, microplastics, and heavy metals. At a depth of 400 meters, the water pressure is sufficient to force the saltwater through the membrane, reducing energy demand.
The success of this technology is not confined to the depths of the ocean. A small pilot plant, using the same membranes as above-ground plants, was successfully tested by OceanWell in March of this year. The first commercial drinking water producers using this technology are set to begin operation in 2028 and will be manufactured entirely in a factory, submerged in the sea.
Seawater desalination is a global option to address water scarcity, and this new concept is particularly well received in California due to its energy efficiency. Despite the existence of over 20,000 seawater desalination plants worldwide, producing around 100 million cubic meters of drinking water per day, four billion people still lack access to clean drinking water.
Dave Pedersen, General Manager of LVMWD, stated that the water users of Las Virgenes were severely affected by the recent drought and that they want to play a leading role in overcoming California's worsening water crisis. Six more plants like WF1 are planned to be built by 2030, aiming to secure a resilient, climate-adapted water future for California.
The WF1 facility has two chambers. Seawater is pushed into the first one and passes through the membrane into a collection tank on land due to the lower pressure in the second chamber. The brine, or water with increased salt concentration, is returned to the sea. While it may need to be redirected away from the facility's location to prevent a constant increase in salt concentration nearby, ocean currents and tides might be sufficient to dilute the brine again.
As the WF1 facility comes online, it marks a significant step towards a sustainable and resilient water future for California. The technology's potential extends beyond the Golden State, offering a promising solution to the global water crisis.
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