Ecobreves – MEXICO: Water Without Salt

By - - and IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

MEXICO CITY, Aug 12 2006 (IPS) - – Scientists at the public Autonomous National University of Mexico (UNAM) are developing a megaproject to desalinize sea water, using renewable energy in an effort to provide the essential resource to urban centers in the country's desert northwest. Sergio Alcocer, director of UNAM's engineering institute and head of the initiative, told Tierramérica that research began in 2004 and in 2007 the first two desalinization plants will begin operation.

He explained that one of the goals is to replace the use of fossil fuels in the process, taking advantage of the warm temperatures of the water in the Gulf of Baja California, the marine currents, the sun and the wind as sources of energy.

This alternative is viable for meeting the water needs of northwestern Mexico, said Alcocer, where it is common for the aquifers to be contaminated by sea water.