Desalination reservoirs and brine ponds serve very different purposes and handle fundamentally different types of water. Desalination reservoirs store treated freshwater that is safe for human consumption or industrial use. Their design prioritizes water quality, with protective linings, covers, disinfection, and monitoring to prevent contamination, microbial growth, and chemical instability. The focus is on maintaining potable water standards, reliability, and operational efficiency.
Brine ponds, on the other hand, are used to manage the concentrated saltwater by-product of desalination processes. Brine is highly saline and often contains residual chemicals from the desalination process. Brine ponds are typically open basins, sometimes lined to prevent soil or groundwater contamination, but water quality considerations for human use are minimal. Instead, the design emphasizes containment, evaporation, and safe disposal or dilution of the brine.
