The main differences between desalinated seawater and drinking water are where they come from, how they are treated, and how they are used.
First of all, desalination of seawater is to remove salts and impurities from seawater through seawater desalination technology, such as distillation and reverse osmosis, so that it can be turned into directly usable water. This process significantly reduces the salt content of seawater, resulting in purer water. Drinking water mainly comes from natural water sources, such as rivers and lakes, which are purified and disinfected by waterworks and then transported to residents’ homes through pipelines.
Secondly, in the treatment process, in addition to removing salt, desalinated seawater also needs to filter out solid impurities, moss and bacteria, etc., and after obtaining clean brine, the salt is further removed through distillation or reverse osmosis and other technologies. The treatment of drinking water mainly includes filtration and disinfection to remove impurities and contaminants from the water.
Finally, in terms of use, although desalinated seawater is treated, it has a low mineral content and low alkalinity, so it cannot be drunk directly. Before entering the municipal water supply network, further treatments such as adjusting the pH value and adding minerals are required to improve the hardness and stability of the water and ensure drinking comfort. The drinking water has undergone strict purification and disinfection treatment, which meets the sanitary standards and can be drunk directly.
Overall, the main difference between desalinated seawater and drinking water is where they come from, how they are treated, and how they are used. Desalination seawater is the product of desalination of seawater, while drinking water is a natural source of water that has been treated by waterworks.
What is the price difference between the two?
The price difference between desalinated seawater and drinking water varies depending on a variety of factors such as region, treatment technology and size, making it difficult to give an exact price difference. However, in general, the price of desalinated seawater is usually higher than the price of ordinary drinking water.
Desalination of seawater involves complex treatment processes, such as the removal of salts, impurities, bacteria, etc., which requires a large amount of energy and materials, so its cost is relatively high. In addition, the investment and maintenance cost of desalination equipment is also an important factor affecting the price. In some water-scarce areas such as islands and marine fisheries, desalination equipment has been widely used due to the urgent demand for fresh water and relatively low price sensitivity.
In contrast, ordinary drinking water is usually more affordable because it comes mainly from natural sources, and the treatment process is relatively simple and the cost is low. Through purification, disinfection and other treatment steps, the water source is turned into drinking water that meets sanitary standards, and is piped to the residents’ homes.
It is important to note that specific price differences vary by region and on a case-by-case basis. In some areas, due to the improvement of seawater desalination technology and the play of scale effect, the cost of desalination seawater may gradually decrease, so that the gap between its price and ordinary drinking water is narrowed.
Overall, the price difference between desalinated seawater and drinking water is a complex issue that requires a variety of factors to consider. In practice, the price difference between the two may vary in different regions and situations.
