There's also geothermal energy right below me here in Idaho. Heck, Lava Hot Springs is about 20 miles south and they have outdoor hot water swimming year 'round. The pots at Yellowstone never freeze -- in fact, people have been boiled to death by slipping into them in mid-winter with an air temperature of -25F.

The problem is that the water is far from "clean" -- it contains minerals, sulphur, and other things and is often acidic. All of which, as Skarpi knows, can be overcome.

It's not that the energy isn't there. It's the will that's lacking.