The UK looks likely to get its first desalination plant for drinking water production, which should start operations in 2009. The plant will be situated in east London to process water from the Thames estuary.

But plans for the plant are being criticized by environmentalists. Critics have described the plant as a “sticking plaster” solution to water shortages, and point out that a lot of drinking water is being wasted on laundry and flushing toilets.

More on this story is available from the BBC. And a somewhat wider look at the environmental impact of Desalination plants as available from the WWF