Complex but essential: Exploring desalination in the UK’s water resilience mix
July 08, 2026
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Adrian Johnson explains the challenges and opportunities around desalination technology in the UK for Water Magazine
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"text": "
In the UK, desalination technology has been quietly waiting in the wings, ready to support national resilience efforts. While other regions around the world—Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and the Americas—have already taken advantage of this innovative approach, Britain has kept desalination largely in its back pocket as a contingency option, until now.
Due to stringent regulatory reductions around water abstractions combined with an enormous need for residential development in already water-stressed areas, and increasing climate change impacts, many water companies are rapidly exploring the true potential of incorporating innovative supply options into the mix, including more complex treatment technologies like desalination.
So, how does this technology work and what are the implications of its roll-out in areas across Britain? In this article for Water Magazine, Adrian Johnson explains the opportunities and implications around desalination.
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-
As a civil engineer and executive technical director at Stantec, Adrian’s experience is primarily in the water sector. He specialises in sustainable development, climate change and carbon management.
Contact Adrian
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