In 1996, construction was started at Alicante University for a reverse osmosis desalination plant, which began operating in 1997. The water produced has been used for irrigation of the green zones of the campus. The plant was working discontinuously, during trial periods, and when regular supplies of water for irrigating the gardens and green zones on the campus were necessary. The plant draws its supply from a salt water aquifer on which the university is situated. The average water conductivity is around 6,000 muS/cm. The cost of water production from desalination in 1997 was 37.59 pesetas/m(3), 40.07 pesetas/m(3) in 1998 and 32.52 pts/m(3) in 1999.