Cool, clear water

Private industry is making progress in the desalination of ocean water.

In fact, as the technology improved, the Israelis doubled the Ashkelon plant’s planned capacity. In 1999, when planning for the project began, the estimated cost of producing water had fallen from $1 per cubic meter to 70 cents. Kronenberg said the Ashkelon plant will produce water at 53 cents per cubic meter, which he called "the lowest price ever seen for desalinated water."

For reference, $1 per cubic meter is $1234 per acre-foot. 70 cents per cubic meter is $865/AF. 53 cents per cubic meter is $654/AF. Cheap water costs $100/AF, and fairly expensive water is two or three times that.

Even if desalination never becomes as cheap as diverting rivers into reservoirs, it's comforting to know that's the most water will cost.