Nuclear Desalination In Australia

Australia needs to consider Nuclear Desalination asoperating, in 4 countries, with a combined 247
a part of the Nuclear Energy Debatereactor-years experience.[4] The cost of nuclear
Australia can decide to become energy, anddesalinated water is about 40 cents per kiloliter[5]
financially, rich due to the use of its abundantand while this is 20 to 30 times as much as we
supply of uranium that can be either used locally inare already paying, these costs could be lower for
home grown Nuclear power plants or sold as aAustralia as we have our own uranium. Even
refined product on the world market. The decisiongiven the costs as shown, it is only a matter of
is in the hands of the Australian people throughtime until it becomes cost effective.
their elected representatives. There are additionalThe International Atomic Energy Agency is
issues that need to be addressed in parallel withcurrently conducting research into Nuclear
the above issues. The Desalination of SeawaterDesalination and the International Nuclear
using Nuclear Power and its benefits need to beDesalination Advisory Group advises that another
considered in any discussion of Nuclear Power in13 countries are conducting research and feasibility
Australia.studies. These countries are Argentina, Canada,
Large areas of Australia have been in moderateChina, Egypt, France, India, Israel, South Korea,
to severe drought conditions for fifteen of theLibya, Morocco, Pakistan, Russian Federation and
last twenty years.[1] It seems possible thatUnited States. There is also major International
Australia will join the African region, Latin AmericaCollaboration underway between Indonesia and
and South East Asia as an area sufferingKorea, Rep of, Tanzania and France, Pakistan and
moderate to sever water shortages.[2]Various International Bodies, Morocco and France,
Desalination is a possible solution to theseRussia and Canada and lastly Eurodesal.[6]
shortages in Australia. In the past it has not beenIt is evident Nuclear Desalination is being
seen as an economical solution to local waterconsidered world wide. Australia has 38% of the
shortages. However, given, the, potential, changeworlds know Uranium resources and is about to
in public opinion, attitude and the necessarymake a national decision regarding its use. Public
economic consideration of Nuclear Energy andawareness that the potential of Nuclear
Uranium mining and refinement, desalination ofDesalination can solve all of Australias future
seawater using Nuclear Energy must bewater requirements as well as, allowing Australia
considered at the same time.to convert large amounts of inhospitable land into
By 2025, about two thirds of the world populationan arable and profitable resource will ease the
may suffer sever water shortages. Fresh,resistance currently being shown by a percentage
potable, water will become an internationallyof the population.
marketable product.[3]The public must be apprised of the benefits of
Desalination of seawater using Nuclear Power isNuclear Desalination, while considering the Nuclear
not new and currently there are 13 reactorsEnergy issue.