Comments by "Ficus-lovin\x27 Capybara N\x27 pals • 🌟 • 25 yrs ago" (@YourCapybaraAmigo_17yrsago) on "Why Aren't Desalination Plants EVERYWHERE?" video.

Dumping the brine a sufficient distance off the coast should easily mitigate any environmental risks. Smart plants however will reuse the brine by evaporating or re-separating the wastewater and using the remaining salts for commercial, industrial or consumer purposes. and that separated water? Seems to me like it could be used as gray water for irrigation. The truth is nothing in our world need go to waste. Everything has a second or third use. Almost everything can be recycled at least once. it just takes people using their common sense and willing to invest in these processes.
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@TheBooban yeah we could easily dump it in the desert or make a giant pile next to the industrial plant. You've driven by plants before, you see the piles of dirt and material that they use in manufacturing. Why should a salt pile be any different? And then if someone needs salt they know where to go. A big old salt supply? we can always find uses for that. Worst case, take it to the desert.
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I would think if they just wanted to dump it, provided they went far enough off the coast to do so, it shouldn't harm the surrounding ecosystem, however if they wanted to reuse the products I don't see why they just wouldn't allow the water to evaporate and reuse the salt for commercial, industrial or consumer purposes. There are always purposes for salt. If it's purified it can be consumed. In it's original states I'm sure there are plenty of industrial uses. Not to mention roads in the winter time in cold climates. Also, I would think there should be a way to capture whatever water was removed from the waste brine if this process is used. Seems like it would be good for irrigation. It may cost a bit more up front to have these subsequent stages of separation but seems to me like it would be worth it for the usefulness of the end products.
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 @testthewest123 obviously it's costly to get a new solar plant up and running but I'm sure they'll get there.
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That sounds like a great idea
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I totally agree. Regardless of the cost it's worth it. We need it and the effluent can easily be evaporated to generate waste salt which then can either be dumped in the desert or reused for industrial or consumer use. Who says it needs to be dumped right back immediately off the waterline? That is stupid and of course is going to cause environmental harm. Either dump the effluent at least several miles off the coast or do the other as I stated.
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@Israel_Two_Bit I think given the benefits of fresh water from desalination, the secondary benefits of further byproducts are worth it. I hope companies and governments invest in them. I think it would be super fun to work at a desal plant in fact. There's one near me in fact.... And I'd be curious to find out what they do with their effluent.
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@Israel_Two_Bit that won't happen if you go at least a few miles offshore. Ecosystems are sensitive near the coastline, but the further you get away from coastlines you're usually okay. Dump a bunch of brine there and natural mixing will quickly resolve the issue.
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What is it then?
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 @josdesouza I mean maybe none right now but does that matter? If they need on-site energy generation that would certainly be one good way.
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 @testthewest123 the line is stupid but from what I hear SA has been doing desal now for a while.
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