If this desalination system allowed a city to generate even 50% of their water needs, that would be a significant step forward. I keep seeing this metric put forward: Does X generate 100% of the needed water/electricity/heat. Why does it have to 100%? Can't three systems each contributing 33.3% be enough to reach 100%?
Our household solar power installation here in the very rainy Seattle area generates 98.15% of our electric power needs, including that for our electric car. I wish it were 100%, and if the sun shines for a few days in a row, sometimes it does generate 100% of our electric power needs for the last 365 days. It is, however, much better to meet 98% of our needs that to meet none of our needs.