South Africa suffers from frequent droughts that negatively impact its economic development and population health. Desalination could help address South Africa's water shortages by providing a sustainable source of fresh water for drinking, industry, and agriculture. Desalination plants near Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth could produce fresh water, stimulate regional economic growth, and reduce water-borne diseases. Specialist companies could build and operate the facilities, creating local jobs and attracting foreign investment through municipal bonds.

1. South Africa Droughts and Regional Development Presented by Matt Ellis

2. Profile of South Africa Partially occupied by the Kalahari Desert Modern financial systems Desire to work with the U.S. Ample natural resources “ Republic” governmental system Robust growth since 2004 GDP growth 5.1% in 2007 Older infrastructure slows growth High unemployment (24.3% in 2007) 50% live below the poverty line Suffers from droughts, diseases , electrical shortages, and political unrest in the past (apartheid)

3. Thirsty for Change… South Africa could benefit from water desalination facilities (13,000 worldwide, 60% in Middle East) The WWF acknowledges that water can be an enabler or a constraint to social and economic development EarthTrends.org studied “water resources and fresh water ecosystems in Africa”-found no desalination usage anywhere in Sub-Saharan Africa Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Distillation techniques exist RO: filtered, higher yield (45%), 10-500 ppm Distillation: heated and evaporated, 1-50 ppm *suggested CA drinking water standard is 500 ppm

4. Reverse Osmosis Other uses for solids (i.e. salt) which may spawn new South African industry or trade Both liquid and solid wastes are safe Distillation works similarly, but uses heat rather than filters (no solid filter waste)

5. Common Uses for Salt Chemical production (ex. HCl, Chlorine) Human, animal nutrition Water softening (replace “hard water” calcium, magnesium ions with “soft” sodium ions) Paper production Standardizes dye in textiles Metal processing, Al recycling Rubber manufacturing Ceramics manufacturing Soap manufacturing Cloud seeding

6. Creating infrastructure is best handled through local government: Entertain proposals from desalination specialist companies Realize that every solution is unique and does not have a panacea Award contract to best proposal and secure local employment for construction and staffing of completed facilities Issue municipal bonds to cover costs of construction and development Proposed sites: near Cape Town, near Durban, possibly near Port Elizabeth Strategy and Tactics

7. Map of south africa 1 Cape Town 2 Durban 3 Port Elizabeth 1 2 3

8. Notable Desalination Specialists Africa Algeria: Hamma Water Desalination, Hyflux N. America GE, DuPont, Dow Chemical, Specific Equipment Co., Aquatech Int’l Corp, Matrix Desalination Inc., Arocon Desalination Systems Europe Spain: Acciona, Abengoa France: Veolia Germany: Siemens Austria: Christ Water Technologies Middle East Israel: IDE Asia Japan: Kurita Water Industries

9. Benefits of Fresh Water Regional growth potential Stimulate outside business interest May reduce disease(s) May increase the average life span May increase FDI (i.e. muni bonds, etc) May be a catalyst for other industries May reduce unemployment (24.3% in 2007)

10. Risks of Proposal May have unknown adverse environmental effects May be too expensive (i.e. energy costs) May not be valued by locals immediately Unknown future technologies may be a better long-term solution Change may not be immediate (i.e. regional growth)

11. Ongoing Alternatives Sustained regional drought Import potable water from regional suppliers Find a cheaper way to create ample potable water in South Africa

12. Conclusion South Africa could benefit from desalination technology: Provides fresh drinking, industrial, irrigation water Increase FDI Combat unemployment Combat diseases related to unsafe water Create sufficient infrastructure Create outside business interest Create other industries or means of trade

13. References California Coastal Commission: Seawater desalination in California (n.d.). Retrieved July 5, 2008, from http://www.coastal.ca.gov/desalrpt/dchap1.html EarthTrends.org (2003). Water Resources and Freshwater Ecosystems-- South Africa . Retrieved July 5, 2008, from http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/country_profiles/wat_cou_710.pdf Go2Africa.com (2008). South Africa Map . Retrieved July 5, 2008, from http://www.go2africa.com/south-africa/map#popup-406 Salt Insitute (n.d.). The many uses of salt . Retrieved July 5, 2008, from http://www.saltinstitute.org/16.html WorldAtlas.com (n.d.). Africa: Major landforms . Retrieved July 5, 2008, from http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/afnewlnd.gif WWF (2008, January 10). High Level Report: Water and Economic Development . Retrieved July 5, 2008, from http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/africa/where/south_ africa/wwf_south_africa_our_solutions/index.cfm?uProjectID=ZA0316