The use of membranes for salt reduction in the UK

Reverse-osmosis membranes, which have been used for reducing the salt conte nt of water since the late 1960s, are available for a variety of desalinati on applications, ranging from seawater to brackish water and specific speci es removal, including hardness and organics. In recent years, major advance ments have been made in the salt-rejection capabilities and in pressure req uirements, which have made the use of membrane technology in water treatmen t an attractive proposition. The paper focuses on (i) seawater desalination, reviewing the present study which is being carried out by Anglian Water, (ii) brackish water desalinat ion, in particular a project which is being undertaken by Essex and Suffolk Water, and (iii) well-water desalination, describing a project which is be ing executed by Anglian Water.