FROM OCEAN TO TABLE :
As California ’ s drought moves into its third year , the resulting complications are proving to be devastating
California ’ s Lake Shasta in 2014 . The reservoir is receding at an average of 4.9 inches per day . ( Photo Credit : David Greitzer / Shutterstock . com )
REVERSE OSMOSIS Reverse osmosis is being fitted for the new desalination plant in San Diego County . A specialized type of membrane-based technology , plants are equipped with a semipermeable membrane that removes larger particles from the water that flows over them , and applied pressure works to overcome osmotic pressure driven by a chemical potential . 1 . Water is piped into the building from the ocean goes through a basic filtration process . This removes larger particles from the water including marine materials .
2 . It then moves through plants racks that are filled with membranes . These racks stack next to each other .
3 . Pressure is used to flush water over the membranes and , in the process , over and through the membranes . Molecules and ions are removed from water , including salt .
4 . The fresh water is separated
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