脱盐技术有很多应用，但本文将脱盐作为美国城市的饮用水来源。海水淡化工艺在生产饮用水方面的应用有限，但随着开发咸水的需求变得更加迫切，这种应用稳步增加。最重要的进展预计将出现在膜和能源使用领域。脱盐技术的两个主要工业应用是生产超纯水（用于电子制造）和浓缩盐水。 包括5个参考资料、表格、图表和照片。

Desalting technologies have many applications, but this article addresses desalting as a source of potable water for municipalities within the United States. The use of desalination processes to produce potable water is limited but steadily increasing as the need to develop saline waters becomes more urgent. The most significant developments are expected to be in the areas of membranes and energy usage. Two major industrial applications for desalting technology are the production of ultrapure water (used in electronic manufacturing) and the concentration of brines. Includes 5 references, tables, figures, photos.