Desalination storage reservoirs differ from regular water reservoirs mainly in their purpose and design requirements. Traditional reservoirs, such as dams or natural lakes, usually hold raw water collected from rivers, rainfall, or groundwater before it is treated and distributed. In contrast, desalination reservoirs store water that has already been treated and is ready for consumption. This means that water quality standards are stricter, and the design often includes features to prevent contamination, such as protective linings, covers, or controlled access.
Regular reservoirs are often placed where water naturally accumulates, while desalination reservoirs are typically built close to desalination plants or within distribution networks to reduce pumping distances and maintain supply efficiency. The scale can also vary: some desalination reservoirs are smaller, since they only need to balance supply and demand, while natural reservoirs can span large areas to capture seasonal flows.
