Water shortage and desalination

[bond]

Hi, with all the news that water levels are at a big low (esp in SE England) have the government / authorities ever considered desalination plants, using seawater? - we are a tiny island surrounded by millions of cubic metres of water in the oceans. Countries in the middle east use this method, as have other countries looked into it - or am I missing something fundamental....I can't believe the threat of water tankers on streets has already been mentioned. Thanks for your views / replies.

[stanleyman]

The cost of desalinated water is quite high. Restrictions on use is more sensible when supplies are temporarily low, however, if we had a saltwater supply for toilets etc. as they do in Gibraltar, then that would certainly save a considerable amount. Even recycling grey water for toilets would save just as much. I use both methods on my barge to conserve a limited water capacity.