**1. Introduction**

As the name suggests, desalination processes are responsible for the removal of dissolved salts or ions from sea-, brackish- or tertiary-treated wastewater. These processes however, are not selective, and desirable minerals are just as readily removed along with the unwanted salts. The resultant desalination permeate or distillate is therefore void of essential minerals and alkalinity, rendering it unstable and corrosive. If left untreated, desalinated water will corrode the distribution infrastructure and will deteriorate the linings used as a protective barrier between the conduit and the drinking water. This creates a huge financial burden on asset owners. Recent estimates by the American Water Works Association suggested a program in excess of \$300 billion over a 20-year period would need to be spent in the US alone to replace pipe damaged as a result of corrosion [1]. The financial impact of corrosion does not stop with the cost of pipework replacement either: a recent study by the Chicago-based Center for Neighborhood Technology in conjunction with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning found that up to 22 billion gallons of potable water is lost on a yearly basis due to leaks within the distribution network [2].

More important than the cost of pipework replacement however, is the health risk posed to consumers of non-stabilized water. Corrosion of pipework by aggressive water can lead to the release of heavy metal ions such as lead, copper and iron to levels that are considered unsafe for human consumption, inducing "red water" incidents [3] and posing health risks to its consumers. Lead, for example, is considered one of the most toxic heavy metals and has been shown to impede both the physical and mental developments in children [4]. Ingestion of copper on the other hand, can result in liver and kidney damage. Cadmium, found in galvanized piping, is also highly toxic, considered a carcinogenic and even short-term exposure can lead to problems of the liver, heart and kidney [5]. Finally trace metals such as cadmium, barium, chromium and aluminum have been found to leach from the mortar linings of concrete lined pipes [6]. Therefore it is critical that following desalination processes, minerals and alkalinity are added to the water to achieve a buffered and stabilized water quality that is non-corrosive and safe for use.
