Home >> Science & Nature >> Nature

The DIY Desalination of Wastewater in Aquaculture

Desalination is usually the process of removing salt from seawater; however, the steps are the same for wastewater treatment in aquaculture. There are three questions that need to be answered before a proper system can be put into place. First, how much energy will be available to remove the salt, solar-powered or electrical? Second, how long will the project run, long-term or short? Lastly, what will happen to the removed salt and where will it be stored? Once these are answered, it is a relatively easy process to construct a desalination system.

Things You'll Need

2 clear plastic tarps
Nails
Hammer
Several 2-by-4 wood beams
Rain gutter section
Shovel

Instructions

- 1
  Dig a hole roughly 6 feet square and 6 inches deep. Line the hole with one of the tarps to keep water from seeping into the ground.
- 2
  Create a sturdy 6-foot-by-7-foot rectangle with the 2-by-4 beams and nails. Hammer the other tarp over the rectangle so it resembles a tablecloth hanging over a table.
- 3
  Place the section of gutter across one length of the lined hole and angle it so water can run down it and away from the hole.
- 4
  Angle the rectangle and tarp over the hole so it forms a 20-degree angle with the ground. Prop it up with the small piece of board about 10 inches tall. As the sun heats up the wastewater, it will condense on the plastic tarp. When enough water is present, it will slide down the tarp into the gutter and drain off. It can then be collected and used as fresh water.

Nature