We wrap up this special week due to Acades congress held in Chile.
Today we share a keynote by Alberto Kresse, the president of ACADES.
Alberto is a leading figure in water infrastructure, and his perspective on the current state of the industry is vital.
The context for this discussion is urgent.
Chile is facing a structural water deficit that no longer depends on whether it rains a little more or less each winter.
Our traditional sources are shrinking, and the water sector is looking for a way to decouple our growth from the unpredictability of the climate.
Desalination has emerged as the most viable answer, but it is a topic often clouded by myths and technical misunderstandings.
What happened in Acades Congress 2026?
Desalination is moving from a niche water solution to a core piece of economic infrastructure, particularly in water-stressed regions like Chile and much of Latin America.
Rather than focusing only on membranes and pumps, the discussions revolve around how desalination fits into growth, financing, energy systems, and environmental governance.
Here are the main themes shaping the conversation.
Desalination as an engine for economic growth
One of the central themes of the congress is “Water for Growth”, framing water supply as a key driver of economic development.
Chile is a particularly relevant case. Mining operations in the country are increasingly shifting away from continental water sources and relying instead on seawater and desalination.
Several sessions focused on:
how the mining sector is deploying desalination
the infrastructure required to move water inland
how non-conventional water sources can sustain industrial growth
The underlying message is clear:
desalination is becoming productive infrastructure.
The big question: who pays for desalination?
Another major topic throughout the congress is the economics of desalinated water.
Issues such as:
the cost of desalination and reuse
project finance and bankability
risk allocation in infrastructure contracts
public–private partnership models
In other words, the debate has moved beyond whether desalination works technically.
The real question now is:
how to finance water systems at regional scale.
Shared infrastructure and large water transport systems
A particularly interesting theme is the concept of shared desalination infrastructure.
Instead of building one plant for one user, the industry is increasingly discussing:
large desalination hubs
pipelines transporting water hundreds of kilometers
supply systems serving multiple industries and cities
This represents a shift toward regional water systems, where desalinated water becomes part of a broader infrastructure network.
Environmental impact and social license
Environmental considerations also occupy a prominent place in this field.
Discussions included:
the environmental footprint of desalination
brine discharge and ocean impacts
evidence-based regulation
An emerging topic is “brine mining”, the idea of extracting valuable minerals from desalination brine.
desalination is increasingly viewed as part of a circular water economy rather than a linear process.
New applications: agriculture and small-scale desalination
While mining dominates the conversation, the congress also explored other applications such as:
desalinated water for agriculture
decentralized and small-scale desalination systems
integration between desalination and water reuse
desalination technologies are beginning to diversify and move into smaller, more distributed systems.
The energy–water nexus
Another recurring topic is the relationship between energy and desalination.
A full panel addressed the “energy of water”, highlighting how closely the two systems are linked.
Key issues include:
energy efficiency
renewable energy integration
the role of electricity costs in water pricing
At its core, desalination is fundamentally an energy transformation process.
The end of our dependence on rain
For a long time, we managed water based on the hope of a wet winter. Alberto points out that this is no longer a sustainable strategy.
The primary benefit of desalination is that it provides a constant supply of water regardless of weather patterns.
In places like Caldera, we are already seeing this work. Their plant was recognized globally because it proved that we can secure the water supply for an entire population through technology.
It changes the mindset from managing scarcity to managing a reliable industrial process.
Facing the myths about brine and the ocean
One of the biggest hurdles for new projects is the public perception of environmental impact.
Alberto addressed the common fear that brine is a “toxic sludge” that destroys marine life.
The reality is much more boring but also more encouraging. When managed with modern engineering, the salt returned to the sea dilutes quickly and does not create the “dead zones” people fear.
Understanding the science behind these discharge systems is crucial if we want to move past the emotional arguments that often stall necessary infrastructure.
Energy as the main challenge
While the environmental impact is often overstated, the energy cost of desalination is a real factor we must solve.
Moving and treating seawater requires a lot of power.
Alberto emphasizes that Chile’s leadership in renewable energy is our greatest advantage here.
By pairing desalination plants with solar and wind power, we can lower the carbon footprint of our water.
The question for us in the industry is no longer if we can desalinize, but how efficiently we can do it while keeping the water affordable for everyone.
Building a culture of water security
Technology is only half of the solution.
Alberto’s insights remind me that we need a regulatory and social framework that supports these large scale projects.
Chile is already a leader in Latin America for desalination, but staying there requires constant innovation and transparent communication with the public.
We have to show that these plants are not just for mining or industry, but are the backbone of human consumption and food security for the coming decades.
Reflection
After listening to Alberto, I am left thinking about how we talk about water to people who are not engineers.
We often focus on the crisis, but we have the tools to build a different future.
What is the biggest misconception about desalination that you have encountered in your work?
