We’re back—and this time, saltier than ever! After a brief pause dedicated to strategic planning, the Permanent Forum of Binational Waters is excited to relaunch our Coffee Break series with a bold and timely topic: Is Desalination the Solution to Our Water Problems?
Held on August 10, 2023, this special session brought together experts from both sides of the Mexico–United States border to discuss the rise of desalination as a proposed solution to mounting water scarcity. As the climate crisis accelerates and traditional water sources are increasingly under pressure, the conversation around implementing a desalination water system has gained momentum.
But is desalination truly a silver bullet—or just another complex, costly path filled with trade-offs?
In what we dubbed our “salty and charged” Coffee Break, we invited four distinguished panelists to help us untangle the issue:
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Dr. Margaret Wilder, University of Arizona
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Dr. Adriana Zúñiga, University of Arizona
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Dr. Nicolás Pineda, Colegio de Sonora
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Nélida Barajas, CEDO Intercultural
The panel addressed critical questions, including:
Is desalination the most viable long-term solution for the border region? What environmental, economic, and social challenges are linked to implementing large-scale desalination projects? Are current binational agreements moving us toward a more integrated desalination water system, or do they overlook more sustainable alternatives?
This Coffee Break emphasized that desalination should not be viewed in isolation. While it can offer relief in specific contexts, panelists warned against relying solely on technological fixes without addressing underlying water management and equity concerns.
If you missed the live session, you can still access a full summary of the conversation here. Whether you’re a policymaker, researcher, or concerned citizen, this discussion is essential for anyone interested in the future of water sustainability in the borderlands.
Stay tuned for more conversations that challenge, inform, and connect our binational water community.
You can read the summary of this Coffee Break here.