Abstract
Due to the accelerated industrial and urbanization development, climate change, and increasing populations and life quality expectations, the issue of drinking water shortage has raised much public awareness. The desalination system has been widely applied to accommodate the growing demand for clean water resources despite the continuous concerns about its relatively higher energy consumption and environmental footprints. This research conducted a case study in the Tampa Bay Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant and Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination Plant in Florida, U.S. It analysed the performance and environmental impacts of conventional and desalination water supply systems on three sides: energy consumption, carbon footprint, and solid waste. Potential negative effects of both water supply systems are generally associated with surface water ecology, groundwater aquifers, coastal environment, and marine organisms. Various environmental impact mitigation plans have been proposed to prevent or restore the detriments caused by carbon dioxide emissions, plant construction, and concentrated brine discharge. Due to the deficiency in freshwater resources, desalination technology is more promising through proper regulations and regional sustainable development.
Highlights
From the 18th century onwards, industrial development and population growth have increased the demand for freshwater
The first parameter, annual energy consumption per cubic meter water production, can be calculated using equation E dE/dL, where E is the energy used per cubic meter of water, dE is the energy used per day, dL is water produced per day
The conventional water supply system is generally more sustainable than the current desalination technology if only the three calculated parameters are taken into account
Summary
From the 18th century onwards, industrial development and population growth have increased the demand for freshwater. In the last 100 years, the global demand for freshwater has increased sixfold 1. Mekonnen believes that in 2016, 4 billion people worldwide suffered from water shortages 2. The World Water Development Report 2018 predicts that 5 billion people will suffer from water shortages in 2050. This is especially true for landlocked countries in the tropics. The amount of fresh water available is further squeezed by the constant pollution of the Earth's water bodies
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