Evaluation of Reverse Osmosis Desalination to Mitigate Water Scarcity in Chancay, Peru: A Comprehensive Evaluation

Abstract

Water demand on the central coast of Peru has intensified due to agricultural expansion and the development of the Chancay port megaproject. Currently, the district faces a water deficit of 8,690 m3/day, exacerbated by a sanitation infrastructure that only covers 70.73% of the city. This study evaluated the technical, economic, and social feasibility of implementing a water reverse osmosis (WRO) desalination plant as a sustainable solution to projected water scarcity scenarios through 2044. The methodology employed a mixed approach: demand scenarios were modeled considering the impact of climate change and population growth driven by the port; the technical design was optimized using response surfaces to minimize energy consumption; and financial and social viability was analyzed. The results indicate that, under a severe scenario, the deficit could reach 34,352 m3/day. To mitigate this, a modular plant with a capacity of 35,000 m3/day was designed, which, through the use of energy recovery devices (ERD), achieves a specific consumption of 0.83 kWh/m3. The financial analysis projected a net present value (NPV) of $ 13,366,560 USD and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 19.41%, while 73.95% of the population expressed acceptance of the project. It is concluded that desalination is a viable alternative to guarantee water security in Chancay, mitigating the risks of social and environmental conflicts through proper brine management.