§ Mr. Peter M. Jacksonasked the Minister of Technology whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT information regarding the potential applications in the United Kingdom of research being undertaken by the Atomic Energy Authority and others into the flash distillation, freezing and reserve osmosis systems of water distillation including any available information on costs per 1,000 gallons of fresh water.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuThe Water Resources Board "Report on Desalination for England and Wales" published on 3rd July stated that the most likely application in the United Kingdom of the desalination processes being developed is in conjunction with conventional water supply and the provision of high purity water for industrial processes.
The Board report indicated that high purity water, using present distillation technology, would cost between 5s. and 8s. per thousand gallons, depending on whether produced from a dual purpose nuclear power plant (i.e. producing electricity and water) or from a water producing plant only.
Present research and development within the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and by its industrial partners indicates a further reduction in the cost of water from improved distillation processes of up to 20 per cent. The freezing process for sea water desalination, which is at an early stage of development, gives projected water costs of 3s. to 4s. per thousand gallons for United Kingdom sea water conditions. It is too early to quote costs for water produced by the reverse osmosis process.