ABSTRACT
Development of membrane technology has created an economic alternative to treat saline water as opposed to the construction of expensive pipelines and reservoirs. The largest constructed potable water supply system utilizing membrane treatment technology in the United States today is the city of Cape Coral, Florida. As technology improves and the cost of membrane water treatment declines, large scale application of this process may be used to provide water for agriculture or major industries. Regardless of the source of water for the coastal or island treatment facilities, the key to the successful operation of a membrane treatment plant is the stability of water quality. Because of the natural dynamics of the coastal zone, where freshwater and seawater tend to mix in both the surface water and groundwater systems, it can be most difficult to develop a water supply source of constant or predictable quality.
