6. Conclusion

Membrane technologies are widely recognized and used in water treatment. Installed capacities have increased exponentially over the last 20 years, thanks to improvements in membrane materials (chemical and mechanical resistance) and in the processes that use them, which have enabled us to reduce the cost per m ² . These technologies are now approaching maturity.

As far as reverse osmosis seawater desalination is concerned, the energy cost, which was the main limitation, is very close to the minimum cost.

Whether for desalination, production of drinking water from freshwater or wastewater treatment, the scope for progress lies essentially in the design of a complete treatment process.

The use of membranes integrated into industrial or urban wastewater treatment processes...