NAMIBIA – Namibia is grappling with its worst drought in a century, leading to severe food insecurity affecting nearly half its population. In response, plans are underway to construct a desalination plant to provide water, with efforts to source water from up to 400 kilometers away to supply the capital, Windhoek, if rains don't arrive by October. (News24)

Namibia's government has approved the construction of a second desalination plant to ensure long-term water security, with construction slated to begin in January 2025 and completion expected by early 2027. The plant will have a capacity of 54,794 m³/d and is crucial for supporting the country's economic growth, especially given the increasing demand from agriculture, industry, and mining. NamWater, the national water utility, is working with Synergy International Consultants to develop the project, and negotiations are underway with Swakop Uranium. The new plant will complement the existing Orano desalination plant, which has reached its sustainable limits. (Farmer’s weekly)

SPAIN – The Costa del Sol desalination plant in Marbella, which opened in 2005, is undergoing a significant upgrade to improve its efficiency and water production capacity. The upgrade, being carried out by the regional government and Acosol, involves two parts: updating existing production lines and adding new ones, with completion expected by December. Once finished, the plant will produce 54,794 m³/d, supplying a significant portion of the water needed along the coast from Torremolinos to Manilva. Despite delays in part one due to supply chain issues, the second part of the upgrade is ahead of schedule. Early results from the upgraded lines show improved water quality with reduced salt content, which is expected to further enhance output. (Sur in English)

U.S.A. – The Laguna Madre Water District is advancing a desalination project to address water shortages as supplies from the Rio Grande dwindle. They plan to use water from the Gulf of Mexico with a goal of doubling their current water delivery capacity. The project recently received a $10 million loan from the Texas Water Development Board, following a bond election in 2011 that approved borrowing for this purpose. The total project cost is estimated at $70 million, with construction expected to be completed within three years. Maintenance of the desalination system poses significant challenges due to its complexity and cost. (KRGV)

AUSTRALIA – EVZ's subsidiary, Brockman Engineering, has secured a $23 million contract with Rio Tinto for a bulk process water tanks package as part of a seawater desalination project in Dampier, Western Australia. The project, part of Rio Tinto's $395 million investment, aims to support future water supply for its coastal operations, with construction expected to start in December 2024 and completion by late 2025. The plant will initially have a capacity of 10,958 m³/d, with potential expansion to 21,917 m³/d. (Mining.com)

PORTUGAL – The planned desalination plant in Albufeira is facing increased scrutiny due to its high costs, leading local authorities to reconsider its viability. The sustainable water platform PAS argues that before resorting to desalination, other measures like reducing water losses in distribution networks and reusing wastewater should be prioritized. PAS highlights the illogical financial management behind the desalination plan, noting that its costs have doubled, making it economically unfeasible. With key government officials acknowledging the high costs and suggesting reformulation of plans, there is a growing chance that the desalination plant may be reconsidered or abandoned. (Portugal Resident)

_{Local authorities are starting to reconsider the viability of the planned desalination plant in Albufeira, Portugal. Credit: Natasha Donn/Open Media}

GREECE – Greece's Shipping Ministry has approved the temporary installation of desalination units on the Cycladic islands of Naxos and Serifos to address severe water shortages during the peak tourist season. Two units with a combined capacity of 1600m³/day will be set up on Naxos, while one unit with a 600m³/day capacity will be installed in Serifos. The decision, signed by Deputy Minister Stefanos Gikas, aims to ensure that local communities and island economies are not adversely affected by the prolonged water scarcity. This move reflects the urgent need for efficient and flexible solutions to the water crisis. The installations are intended to help the islands cope with the increased demand for water during the summer. (Ekathimerini)

OMAN – ARA Petroleum and HELIOVIS have partnered to build the world's first solar-thermally powered, zero-emission desalination plant in Oman, specifically at the Qarat al Milh oilfield. The plant will use HELIOVIS’s solar thermal technology to produce up to 140 m³/d of potable water, significantly reducing costs and CO2 emissions. This innovative project will showcase the potential of solar energy in decarbonizing industrial processes, including oil and gas operations. ARA Petroleum will purchase the complete plant, which integrates HELIOVIS's HELIOtube technology with advanced desalination technologies. The project aims to promote similar initiatives across the Gulf region, contributing to environmental sustainability and the growth of Oman's solar industry. (Smart water magazine)

INDIA – Construction of the fourth desalination plant in Chennai, located along the East Coast Road in Perur, is 20% complete. The $509 million project, supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, will have a capacity to treat 400,000 m³/d of seawater. Key components like the intake structure, water tanks, and pipelines are under construction, with additional pipelines being planned for water supply. Municipal Administration Minister K.N. Nehru has instructed officials to complete the project within the stipulated time. The Minister also reviewed the functioning of the third desalination plant in Nemmeli, which currently supplies 125,000 m³/d to the city. (The Hindu)

U.A.E. – The "NAQA'A" desalination plant in Umm Al Qaiwain was inaugurated this week, marking it as one of the largest SWRO projects globally. The plant has a capacity of 681,913 m³/d and operates under an independent producer system. Its construction, a collaboration between Etihad Water and Electricity, Mubadala, and ACWA Power, began in 2021, with full capacity achieved by late 2022. The plant is part of a broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions by 75% and represents a major milestone in the UAE's efforts to modernize its water infrastructure. (Smart Water Magazine)

MISCELLANEOUS – Aquastill BV, a Dutch company, has acquired the membrane distillation assets of the insolvent SolarSpring GmbH. The assets include intellectual property, laboratory equipment, and ongoing R&D projects, with former SolarSpring employees Rebecca Schwantes and Kirtiraj Chavan assisting in the transition as advisors. This acquisition reinforces Aquastill's commitment to advancing membrane distillation as a sustainable desalination technology that uses waste heat for treating seawater and industrial wastewater. The integration of these assets into Aquastill is expected to be completed by October 1, 2024. (Filtration+Separation)