The scope of the article is to examine the local residents' views and opinions on the effects of the construction of a desalination plant on the island of Milos (Greece) which suffers-as many other islands in Cyclades-from lack of water. In particular: To identify the current situation regarding the water supply on the island. To examine the effects that the construction of the desalination plant will have on the local development. To identify the different sectors of every day life which may be affected the most by better quality of water. To examine the views concerning the environmental effects during project construction and operation. The main conclusion is that: Most of the inhabitants perceive the proposed project as beneficial for different sectors of the local development (mining, agriculture, tourism) and for every day life. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.