Seawater desalination in China: Current situation, problems, and development prospects

Abstract

China is confronted with worsening water scarcity, driven by limited per capita resources, pronounced spatiotemporal imbalances, rapid economic growth, and the intensifying impacts of climate extremes. In response to these pressing issues, seawater desalination has emerged as a strategic supplement to conventional water resources. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the recent development of seawater desalination in China, systematically summarizes the evolution of China's seawater desalination industry over the past decades, encompassing policy frameworks, scale expansion, technological advancements, and equipment innovation. It analyzes the development models and competitive advantages of coastal provinces and cities in terms of engineering scale, technological capabilities, enterprise competitiveness, and policy support. Additionally, this review also addresses critical public concerns regarding the safety of desalinated water, its economic viability compared to conventional water sources, and potential environmental impacts, including brine discharge and energy consumption. Comparative assessments show that desalination can be cost-competitive with alternative large-scale water transfer projects, though it still faces challenges of high energy demand and reliance on imported key components. Future development requires scaling up large projects, advancing domestic membrane and energy-recovery technologies, strengthening policy and financial support, and promoting integration with renewable energy and resource recovery. The Chinese experience provides both a reference and a practical framework for other water-stressed coastal regions worldwide seeking sustainable desalination solutions.