<P> Australia is the driest inhabitable continent on Earth and its installed desalination capacity is around 1% of the total world's total . Until a few decades ago, Australia met its demands for water by drawing freshwater from dams and water catchments . As a result of the water supply crisis during the severe 1997--2009 drought state governments began building desalination plants that purify seawater using reverse osmosis technology . </P> <P> Although the Australia's first desalination plant dates from 1903 and several more operated during the 20th century, the first modern large - scale desalination plant was the Kwinana plant in Perth, completed in November 2006 . Over 30 plants are currently operating across the country . Many plants are utilizing nearby wind or wave farms to use renewable energy and reduce operating costs, and solar powered desalination units are used for remote communities . </P>

What process is used to separate salt from sea water in australian desalination plants