This water treatment system is essential for life in the area - but is it compatible with the principles of sustainable development ? Due to limited freshwater resources and rising demand, the first seawater desalination plant in Europe was built in the Canary Islands . It is often touted as a perfect solution. Today, the Canary Islands have the highest number of desalinations plants in the world, relative to the islands’ size and population.  The fresh water obtained in this way is