Nuclear power projects built in the future will have water treatment plants to turn sea water potable.

The design of Advanced Heavy Water Reactor includes a sea water desalination plant that will use the excess heat generated by the power plant to make salty water fit for drinking.

The AHWR, construction of which is likely to begin this year, will generate 300 MW power and have an additional output of desalinated water to the tune of 300 cubic metres per day, nuclear scientists said.

The Bhabha Atomic Reasearch Centre, which has successfully developed and demonstrated desalination technologies, is constructing the critical facility to test various technological parameters for the thorium-powered AHWR.

BARC, engaged in research in desalination technologies since 1970, has already set up several water treatment plants across the country including at Kalpakkam (TN), Trombay (Maharashtra), and in Barmer district of Rajasthan.

The Mumbai-based research facility is also developing mobile desalination plant that will be mounted on a barge, moving some metres off the coastline.

It can desalinate seawater or brackish water into potable water, and supply it to the villages on the shore.

It can also be mounted on a trailer or a vehicle on land, and desalinate water at places where there is scarcity of potable water.

The AHWR is currently undergoing pre-licensing review by the Atomic Energry Regulatory Board.