REPURPOSING BRINE FROM DESALINATION PLANTS TO MAKE SALINE WATER FISHPONDS

REPURPOSING BRINE FROM DESALINATION PLANTS TO MAKE SALINE WATER FISHPONDS

At first, I thought I had stumbled upon an original idea—that the waste brine from desalination plants could be turned into something useful by repurposing it for aquaculture. To my surprise, I later discovered that this idea has already been tested in other countries. Instead of being disappointed, I was delighted. Why? Because it meant it was not only possible, but it had already been proven to work.

But why did I even think of this idea in the first place? The logic is straightforward. Desalination is one answer to the problem of dwindling freshwater supply. But desalination creates its own headache: brine. This highly concentrated salty wastewater is difficult to dispose of without harming the environment. So I thought, why not treat brine as a resource instead of a waste product? Why not use it to create controlled saline water environments where marine life can thrive—even far from the sea?

From Waste to Resource

The key is to mimic seawater conditions: adjusting the salinity, stabilizing the temperature, and neutralizing chemical residues from the desalination process. Once prepared, this “engineered seawater” can support fishponds for species like milkfish, shrimps, crabs, mollusks, or even seaweeds.

There are clear benefits:

  1. Solves brine disposal. Instead of dumping brine back into the ocean (which increases coastal salinity and harms ecosystems), it is redirected for productive use.

  2. Higher value aquaculture. Fish and crustaceans raised in saline water can command higher prices in niche markets.

  3. Diversity of options. Saline ponds can host a broader range of marine species, opening new livelihood opportunities.

Real-World Proof

This is not a fantasy. In Brazil, a decade-long project in Bahia tested inland brine for tilapia farming, Spirulina cultivation, and irrigation of salt-tolerant shrubs (Atriplex) used as goat fodder. The result was a productive cycle: fish for food, Spirulina for supplements, fodder for livestock. It turned waste into wealth, though long-term soil salinization remained a challenge.

In the United Arab Emirates, which produces more than 20% of the world’s desalinated water, researchers are exploring “brine valorization” to grow halophyte crops like quinoa and barley, extract valuable minerals such as magnesium and lithium, and yes—support aquaculture. Their goal is clear: convert brine into a resource to support food security and sustainability.

Even Egypt and the Gulf countries are experimenting with brine reuse, though mostly at research or pilot scale.

Could We Do It Here?

In the Philippines, desalination is still mostly limited to resorts, islands, and some local government projects, but it will inevitably expand as freshwater scarcity worsens. The Philippines has over 7,600 islands, many with poor or seasonal freshwater supply. Desalination could soon be a necessity, not just an option.

This opens the door to innovation:

  • Barangay-level aquaculture using modular saline ponds created from brine.

  • Integration with halophytes like salicornia (sea asparagus), which could provide new income streams.

  • University-led pilots. The UP College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences in Miag-ao, Iloilo, or UP’s Marine Science Institute, could collaborate with BFAR and DOST to pilot small-scale projects.

Barriers to Overcome

Of course, challenges remain. Chemical residues from desalination pre-treatment must be neutralized. Soil salinization must be prevented with lined ponds and buffer zones. And not all species are equally suited—so research must guide farmers on which aquaculture systems make the most sense.

But the concept is sound: turn a waste problem into a livelihood solution.

Bigger Picture

If we think of desalination brine not as a toxic by-product but as a raw material, we align with the principles of the circular economy. In such a system, waste streams are redesigned as inputs for new processes. Brine could feed aquaculture, aquaculture effluent could irrigate halophytes, and halophytes could support livestock or biofuel production.

So here’s my question: Why wait? If Brazil and the UAE are already doing it, what is stopping us? Why not task BFAR to pilot a brine-to-fishpond project in partnership with LGUs and cooperatives? Why not allocate DOST research funds to this instead of leaving it buried in academic journals?

We could create a Philippine model for “brine farming,” adapted to our milkfish, tilapia, shrimp, and even seaweed industries.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about preventing waste—it’s about seeing opportunities where others see problems.

Yes, desalination solves one problem while creating another. But if we are bold enough, we can turn that second problem into an even bigger solution.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres

iseneres@yahoo.com, senseneres.blogspot.com 

01-09-2026

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