U.S.A. – The Santa Clara Valley Water District is exploring the possibility of constructing the first seawater desalination plant along San Francisco Bay to secure new sources of drinking water. The district has allocated $1.7 million for a feasibility study, which will evaluate potential sites in San Jose, Palo Alto, and Mountain View over the next year. The proposed plant could produce between 37,854 and 151,416 m³/d fresh water, potentially serving up to 500,000 households. The project faces significant environmental and regulatory hurdles, especially due to its proximity to protected wetland areas, and it may encounter strong public opposition. (The Mercury News)

Corpus Christi is exploring a new water source through a potential brackish desalination project involving groundwater from a ranch in Hebbronville, about 113 kilometers away. This proposal emerged as an alternative following the collapse of negotiations on the Evangeline groundwater project. The city council has authorized discussions for a possible public-private partnership with the Eshelman-Vogt Groundwater Project, focusing on evaluating feasibility and securing pipeline infrastructure. City officials are also working on the Inner Harbor seawater desalination project and expect discussions on the new brackish water proposal to intensify after the budget adoption. The city will not fund initial feasibility studies, which will be the responsibility of the project proponents. (Caller Times)

PORTUGAL – Three potential sites for a new desalination plant serving the Mira Irrigation Perimeter, which spans the municipalities of Odemira and Aljezur, were discussed at the 6th Hortofrutícola Colloquium. The plant aims to address water scarcity exacerbated by drought and complement the Santa Clara Dam, which is at historic lows. Proposed locations include two within the irrigation perimeter—one in the Rogil area of Aljezur and another near Bugalheira Central in Odemira—and a third site in Sines, potentially leveraging existing water needs there. The funding and management model for the plant are still open, with options for private, public, or public-private partnerships, and there is hope for central government subsidies. Local officials emphasize the need for a fair water distribution model that accommodates both large-scale and small-scale agricultural users. (Sulinformacao)

NAMIBIA – The Husab mine is helping the Namibian government fund a new multi-billion-dollar desalination plant that will supply water to Namibia and Botswana. This support is crucial, as it saves the government from needing to raise approximately $137.65 million to $165.199 million for the project. The plant, designed to have a capacity of 54,794 m³/d, will be built in stages: first the plant itself, followed by supplying water to the coast, and eventually extending to Windhoek and Gaborone. Financial closure for the project is expected by the end of the year, with construction taking 18 to 24 months. The project addresses water shortages affecting mining operations and follows the government's decision not to purchase an earlier, costly desalination plant offered by Areva Resources. (New Era Live)

_{The Husab mine is helping the Namibian government fund a new multi-billion-dollar desalination plant that will supply water to Namibia and Botswana. Credit: New Era Live}

INDIA – The Indian Army's Lt Gen Karanbir Singh Brar inaugurated a new desalination plant at Fort St George in Chennai. The plant, built by the Military Engineering Services (MES), aims to provide clean and healthy water to troops stationed in the cantonment. Its location near the sea allows it to rejuvenate wells and desalinate seawater effectively. The facility ensures a reliable supply of potable water for the military personnel. (The Times of India)

SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS – The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is constructing a seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant at the C.A. Paul Southwell Industrial Site in Basseterre, which will produce 9,092 m³/d of potable water. The groundbreaking ceremony on July 17, 2024, was attended by key officials, including Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew and Water Services Minister Konris Maynard, who emphasized the importance of a reliable 24-hour water supply. The $18.5 million project, managed by Royal Utilities, is expected to be completed by June 2025, with testing in July 2025. This initiative is part of the government's broader strategy to address climate change impacts and ensure water security. Additionally, a solar-powered desalination facility at Canada Estate, set to produce 345.5 m³/d, complements this effort, while the government is also pursuing other measures to enhance water resources. (Smart Water Magazine)