Slant well desalination feedwater supply system and method for constructing same

Abstract

A system is disclosed for supplying water to a desalination plant from a subsurface feedwater supply using one or more slant wells. A method is disclosed for constructing a slant well feedwater supply system for supplying water from a subsurface feedwater supply. A system of angled wells (slant wells) is constructed. The slant wells obtain a desalination feedwater supply from permeable aquifer systems near and/or beneath a saline water source (i.e., an ocean, sea, or salty inland lake). The slant wells induce recharge of the aquifer system through the floor of the ocean, sea, or inland lake due to the hydraulic head difference between the slant well pumping level and the level of the ocean, sea, or lake. As the supply source is relatively constant, the water supply to such a slant well system generally provides a long-term, sustainable water source for a desalination plant.