Storage reservoirs are commonly used with most large-scale desalination plants, especially those supplying municipal or regional water networks. Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) plants, which are the most widespread type, often include reservoirs because they operate continuously while demand from households and industries changes throughout the day. Having a reservoir allows the plant to run steadily without having to constantly adjust output to match demand.
Thermal desalination plants, such as multi-stage flash (MSF) or multi-effect distillation (MED), also benefit from storage reservoirs for the same reasons. These facilities are energy-intensive and run most efficiently at a consistent pace, so stored water helps balance production with varying consumption patterns. Smaller desalination systems, such as containerized or mobile units serving isolated communities, may not always include large reservoirs. Instead, they might rely on smaller storage tanks suited to local demand.
