[[Image:evap desal icon.png|right|100px]]
[[Image:SolarDistiller.jpg|thumb|right|350px300px|Gabriele Diamanti's "Eliodomestico" solar-powered eco-distiller. The small, vat-like still is made entirely from terracotta and zinc-plated metal sheets. It is designed to be produced (and eventually repaired) by local craftsmen.]][[Image:water pyramid.jpg|thumb|right|350px300px|The [http://www.aaws.nl/index.php/products WaterPyramid] is used in tropical remote regions to desalinate saline water and to harvest rainwater. The technology is best used were abundant radiation of the sun and free ground space is available. Photo: Aqua-Aero WaterSystems.]]
==Suitable Conditions==
[[Image:Watercone.jpg|thumb|right|3500px300px|Solar distillation: the [http://www.watercones.com/ Watercone].]]
* For use in areas where there are few alternative water sources to the available saline water, therefore before embarking on treatment options for saline water, the first thing to try would be to diversify water sources (e.g. through rainwater harvesting).
==Construction, operations and maintenance==
[[Image:DistillationSetup.jpg|thumb|right|350px300px|]][[Image:Distillation.jpg|thumb|right|350px300px|Simple distillation and condensation.]]
Of the desalination methods available, the two main ones are: '''distillation''' followed by condensation and '''reverse osmosis'''.
==Field experiences==
[[Image:solar cucumber.jpg|thumb|right|350px300px|The [http://www.marineinsight.com/marine/marine-news/headline/solar-cucumber-a-unique-water-desalination-plant-at-sea/ Solar Cucumber] desalinates sea water and produces drinkable freshwater. As of 2012, the Sea Cucumber is still in the concept phase. Photo: Phil Pauley.]]
==Reference manualsManuals, videos, and links==
* [http://www.cawst.org/en/resources/pubs/education-materials/category/25-fact-sheets-academic HWTS Factsheet - Solar Distillation].
* [http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CDgQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhqlibdoc.who.int%2Fhq%2F2011%2FWHO_HSE_WSH_11.03_eng.pdf&ei=-C-HT46BBomdiALY4vX8AQ&usg=AFQjCNEkepQ3bXkZG-OrwYmwRFuqS23pHg&sig2=Jg2T4HmfNtRSQxQ1-upfWg Safe Drinking-water from Desalination]. World Health Organization, 2011.