Australia also has massive water shortages (in Sydney our major dams are on average at 40% capacity at the moment). Tho NSW Government, here in Aus, is considering desalination as an alternative. Yes desalination is expensive to set up, but the costs are recouped long term, and running costs are reasonable too. An idea I recently read proposed storing desalinated water and river/dam water in underground aquifiers. I think that may be a tad expensive for the moment but its something worth thinking about. Appart from desalination, what other option is there? Aus has tried water recycling - its happening now, and has been for a number of years - and there are still water shortages