Upon publication of an honorary Desalination issue for Prof. David Hasson, a group of eleven former students, judged this as a good occasion to acknowledge his contribution to scientific aspects of the water treatment industry and membrane technology. Based on his focus on equilibria, deposition and inhibition of scaling species in heat exchangers and reverse osmosis as well as in remineralization applications, this publication provides highlights of how his contributions have promoted innovation in the water industry. The tribute also highlights his influence as an educator on the authors who conducted studies, in these three areas under his coaching and supervision at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology over the past 50 years. (C) 2011 Elsevier By. All rights reserved.