The basic technical and economic issues related to the production of distilled water from geothermally heated waters in coastal areas of Baja California, Mexico, are compiled and reviewed. A mathematical model that takes into consideration water temperature, production flow rate and plant design is presented. The use of colder waters in the condenser that results in increased production rates and reduced initial investments is studied, as well as different possible plant designs. It is shown that in coastal areas fresh water produced from this type of low-enthalpy geothermal resources can be cost effective. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.