Access to potable water is necessary for human development. Industry, farms, and the public all need clean sources of water. Generally this water is available locally through natural sources such as rivers or wells, but there are many cases where additional clean water is needed. This includes desert regions and cities that have outgrown their natural water sources.

This thesis touches on the major desalination systems currently in use, including components that can be aided or powered by solar thermal energy. A section is also devoted to cover the basic process of zero liquid discharge, which removes the waste stream from desalination installations. Finally, this thesis goes in depth into a project to augment a current solar thermal loop and demonstrate solar thermal technology being used with an evaporator.