Another Desalination Plant

According to a recent article on reuters, Peru has begun using desalination to meet water needs. This method is becoming increasingly common, especially Cyprus and parts of Africa/Middle East. It is only a matter of years before severe water shortages hit the Southern U.S. from Georgia to the Southwest and the Coast of California. The U.S. should start investing in water infrastructure projects and increasing water efficiency, preferably before aquifers are depleted. The major challenge to overcome is developing a way to finance these initiatives that satisfies all parties. Ideally it would be made of mostly private sector financing to spur job creation. During the great recession many public works projects were initiated to improve the economy. The current economic outlook (many consider a recession as of 03/07) would warrant some sort of government investment, and this type of investment would improve the economy and the lives of citizens for years after the project is completed.

What are everyone else's thoughts on the issue?