What is a desalination plant?

Desalination plants are used in many water-scarce coastal regions, especially in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Australia and the United States. The two main methods are reverse osmosis, which forces water through special membranes, and thermal distillation, which evaporates and condenses water. Desalination provides drinking water but can be energy-intensive and produces concentrated brine that must be managed carefully. It has become an increasingly important part of water supply planning in the 21st century.