There are several reports currently on the hydrogen production from water employing aluminium powders, alloys and waste aluminium materials. However, mostly it is done in the presence of corrosive sodium hydroxide. Present study reports the production of hydrogen from sea water, which is the most dominant source of crude water. Instead of sodium hydroxide, cheap calcium oxide is employed with waste aluminium for the production of hydrogen and it is found that the minerals present in sea water and the use of NaCl as an additive enhances the rate of hydrogen production. It is also observed that change in the reaction conditions has a marked effect on the induction period for H-2 evolution. Additionally, the solid obtained after completion of H-2 production shows good efficiency in water splitting reaction. Copyright (C) 2012, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.