Desalinated Seawater for Haiti - A Missed Opportunity

Soon after Haiti was struck by an earthquake the world learned of the devastation and enormous extent of this disaster, It wasn’t very long after that that some charitable agencies envisioned plans to provide clean water for the stricken area where there was precious little to be had.
At that time, my company, Water Treatment Systems, Inc had two seawater desalination systems on hold for a customer who would not need them for another three months, time enough for us to build two more if needed. With our customers agreement we made the two SW RO systems available to the marketplace.
We had several serious inquiries from non-profit groups who wished to include them as part of temporary or mobile water treatment plants located on or near the sea to provide water to those that desperately needed it. Unfortunately, the organizations could not obtain financing and none of their plans were realized. Each of the seawater RO systems would have produced 60,000 gallons of potable water per day and would have been a great assistance especially in light of the current events.
An outbreak of cholera was confirmed in Haiti on October 21, 2010. Cholera had not been documented in Haiti for decades so cholera outbreaks were considered unlikely in Haiti immediately following the earthquake in January, 2010. For a cholera outbreak to occur, two conditions have to be met: (1) there must be significant breaches in the water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure used by groups of people, permitting large-scale exposure to food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholera organisms; and (2) cholera must be present in the population. While it is unclear how cholera was re-introduced to Haiti, both of these conditions now exist. (CDC Report)
One groups plans to supply clean water called for an off shore barge to serve as a platform for the desalination systems. Seawater would be drawn directly from the sea and piped a short distance to sanitary storage facilities onshore. Potable water would be distributed from there.
I am certain that such a plant would have supplied much needed drinking water to at least a portion of the population and alleviated some suffering in the aftermath of the earthquake. Sadly, it also would have been a great asset in the fight against cholera if it had come to pass.

19 New Alternative Water Supply Projects In South Florida

In Florida, the South Florida Water Management District, which manages the state's water resources, provides Grants to cities and private entities for development and use of alternative water sources for irrigation or potable water that otherwise might not be usable. The Floridan Aquifer, a highly brackish water supply located beneath most of Florida can now be utilized using Reverse Osmosis.It has just been announced that the SFWMD has approved providing $3.45 million for 19 projects across the region. These projects combined will provide an additional 6.5 million gallons per day of water supply capacity. The projects are intended to help the environment and the economy, said Terrie Bates assistant deputy executive director for regulatory and public affairs at the district. She also said "the investment in alternative water supply projects is an investment in Florida's' future".The money will be spread throughout the district. In Boca Raton, $175,000 will be used for a 16-inch reclaimed water distribution system expansion along Airport Road. Davie, in Broward County, will receive $200,000 to help fund a 6 million gallon per day reverse osmosis water treatment plant. Alternative water projects help to reduce dependence on traditional freshwater resources and diversify South Florida's water supply.