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Salt is removed from saline water by desalination. The two main approaches are distillation, which evaporates water and condenses the vapor, and reverse osmosis (RO), which uses pressure to push water through a semipermeable membrane. A simple solar still can demonstrate distillation and produce a small amount of water; reliable larger supplies require engineered equipment. Neither method, by itself, proves the resulting water is safe to drink.
What does “fresh water” mean?
In its salinity categories, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) defines fresh water as having less than 1,000 parts per million (ppm) of dissolved salts. Ocean water contains about 35,000 ppm, according to the USGS. These figures describe salinity, not whether water meets every drinking-water safety standard.
Desalination is already a major water source: the USGS reports an International Desalination Association estimate that more than 300 million people receive water from desalination plants. The USGS also reports that global output was 109.22 million cubic meters per day in 2022, attributing that figure to the association. USGS: Desalination
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Distillation separates water by changing its state. Heat evaporates water from the salty source; most dissolved salts remain behind. The vapor is then cooled so it condenses into liquid water in a separate collection area. The salt is not destroyed: it stays in the source water or in the remaining concentrated residue.
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What a solar still can do
A solar still uses sunlight as the heat source. In a basic setup, an enclosure holds the salty water, and a cooler sloped surface lets vapor condense and run toward a collection point. The USGS describes this as a low-tech way to make small amounts of water, not a practical replacement for a household water supply. It describes the concept as using the sun’s heat to make dew form on a surface such as plastic sheeting. USGS: Desalination
A portable solar still may be useful as a small-scale demonstration, but the available evidence does not establish a particular device’s yield, performance, or suitability for routine drinking-water supply. Do not assume that a still’s output is safe simply because salt has been left behind.
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How does reverse osmosis remove salt?
Reverse osmosis uses pressure to push feedwater through a semipermeable membrane. The membrane allows water to pass while retaining much of the dissolved salt, producing a less-salty water stream and a concentrated brine stream. The brine must be managed; it is not simply eliminated.
RO is widely used, but its operating conditions depend on the feedwater and system design. Saltier water requires more pressure, and sufficiently high salinity can exceed membrane limits. A generic household RO unit should not be assumed to treat untreated seawater. The U.S. Department of Energy explains the pressure-driven membrane process and these salinity constraints. DOE: Desalination Basics
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Distillation or reverse osmosis: which fits the job?
| Factor | Solar or thermal distillation | Reverse osmosis |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Evaporates water and collects it after condensation. | Uses pressure to move water through a semipermeable membrane. |
| Scale and output | A simple solar still is low-tech but produces limited amounts; dependable large-scale supply needs engineered systems. | An engineered membrane process used for desalination; output depends on system design and feedwater. |
| Energy and equipment | Solar stills use sunlight; engineered thermal processes require heat. DOE says even efficient thermal desalination typically uses more energy than alternatives such as RO. | Requires pressure and membrane equipment. Feedwater salinity affects the pressure required. |
| Salty residue | Salt remains in the source water and becomes concentrated as water is removed. | Produces a concentrated brine stream that requires management. |
Sources: USGS: Desalination and DOE: Desalination Basics.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does desalinated water automatically become safe to drink?
No. Removing salt is not a guarantee that every chemical or biological hazard has been removed. For a home treatment system, identify the contaminants of concern and check the system label to confirm that it is designed to reduce them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises choosing treatment based on the contaminants present; its guidance does not treat salt removal alone as a complete safety standard. CDC: About Home Water Treatment Systems
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- [8-stage filtration]: Tested by official third-party laboratory (SGS), the reverse osmosis system can effectively reduce TDS, chromium, PFAS, radium, fluoride, arsenic salt, iron, calcium, particles, chloride, chlorine and radioactive substances in your tap water. And our RO water filter system can reduce chemicals such as vinyl chloride, ethylhexyl acrylate, isobutylene, ethylene glycol, according to the reverse osmosis membrane technical manual
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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