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As seawater is the raw material for desalinated water, the quality of the incoming seawater will have an impact on the process and the constituents of the desalinated water. Within the West Asia region, pollution of the marine environment by oil is a major problem, inherent in the transport of oil-based products through the regions waters. It is estimated that some 1.2 million barrels of oil are spilled into the Gulf annually. Raw and refined petroleum contain a large number of toxic substances and substances that can taint the taste of the finished water
Within the region there have been several attempts to address the potential health implication of the trace elements and organic compounds that might be introduced, because of pollution of seawater, through the desalination process, including a consultation addressing the development of WHO Water Quality Guidelines specifically for desalinated water, taking into account the source water and treatment processes. As such UNEP is working alongside the WHO and a number of global experts in the development of a Guidance Document on Desalination for Safe Water Supply. This involves a series of Expert Working Groups, discussing:
- Technology: Engineering, chemistry, large and small facilities
- Health: Toxicology of contaminants and nutritional issues
- Microbiology: Sanitary and marine
- Monitoring: microbiological, analytical chemistry and regulatory
- Environmental Effects and Impact Assessments
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