What can make desalination expensive?

Desalination can be expensive due to high operational costs, primarily associated with energy consumption required for processes like reverse osmosis or thermal distillation. The infrastructure needed for desalination plants and the maintenance of complex systems also contribute to costs. Additionally, environmental considerations, such as the disposal of brine and potential impacts on marine ecosystems, can lead to further expenses. Lastly, the scale of production and local regulatory requirements can influence overall financial viability.