Science Past from the issue of October 7, 1961

CHEAPER WATER FROM SEA — Lower cost conversion of undrinkable sea or brackish water to potable fresh water will come closer to practicality through use of $75,000,000 appropriated by Congress for the next six years. Lowest cost achieved so far is one dollar per thousand gallons compared with the cost from ordinary sources of 30¢ per thousand. The money is for research and development in the Government’s saline water conversion program. Eventual goal of the program is to supply the nation with cheap drinking water from the oceans and brackish water…. The water supply problem is becoming quite serious in the United States because of increasing water needs and pollution of available water resources.