Desalination in the Developing World: Tsunami Reconstruction in Maldives

Abstract

On Dec. 26, 2004, the second-largest recorded earthquake caused a series of tsunamis in the Indian Ocean, the effects of which were devastating to the poor, low-lying island nation of Maldives. In response, USAID provided 1.8 million in new programming to benefit two of the largest islands, Hinnavaru and Naifaru. Program objectives included improving health care services by providing a safe, reliable potable water supply utilizing desalination and building local capacity. The project 's technical aspects involved design, installation, and commissioning of two 8,000-gpd seawater desalination units, as well as an open seawater intake system, multimedia filter pretreatment, seawater reverse osmosis units, stabilization and disinfection, brine management, distribution, and emergency energy generation. Project sustainability involved government and local stakeholders, including USAID, three Maldivian government organizations, island chiefs, and local water committees. The lessons learned are particularly relevant to emergency responders in Haiti and other disaster-ravaged areas.