The objective was to evaluate the potential of producing drinking water through solar desalinizers, and what are the benefits arising from this technology to promote drinking water for populations living in semi-arid regions. To this end, field studies were carried out to measure the daily production of drinking water, to collect water from wells and desalinators for laboratory analysis, and to assess the socioeconomic and environmental benefits of using desalinizers. Thus, it was observed that desalinators are a low-cost, easy-to-build technology that enables benefits such as: safe water supply, which reduces health risks; does not have electricity costs; and uses clean and renewable energy, which inhibits environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]