Access to clean drinking water is a major problem for many people across the world. Desalination is being increasingly used in many countries to provide this important resource. Desalination technology has received varying degrees of support in the communities in which this technology has been adopted. Productive communication suggests we understand the views of both "interested publics" and the views of water experts about these "interested publics". In this paper, we analyse the views of 16 water scientists involved in desalination research projects. We used a fourfold science communication typology to analyse scientists' discourse. While most participants expressed views which can be summarised as "We just need to educate the public," there are glimpses of more thoughtful approaches which could lead to more productive interaction between water experts and "interested publics".