Today, faced with an increased demand for water, reduced surface and groundwater supplies, contamination, and uncertain hydrologic patterns, desalination is at the forefront of long term planning of many drinking water utilities. This increased use is leading to increased scrutiny and utilities are now faced with responding to a variety of issues and monitoring from regulatory agencies, environmental groups, rate payers, and the general public. This presentation highlights various issues facing desalination facilities and profiles three desalination projects in California: one brackish water desalination facility utilizing standard 8-inch membranes; one brackish water facility considering use of a new large diameter (16.5") reverse osmosis units; and, an ocean desalination plant utilizing a reverse osmosis system. The presentation also discusses various issues with project implementation from the preliminary and conceptual stage to the design and construction phases of the project. Includes 2 references, table.