The systems and methods described herein allow for intercepting submarine groundwater discharge to be used as a supply source for desalination processes. In one practice a dye-dilution seepage meter is employed as a device for locating water sources. These meters can be placed in estuaries and other locations that may be candidate locations to test for flows of groundwater. In areas of suspected SGD, the meters can be deployed to quantify the potential yield and quality (e.g. salt content) of the resource. Regarding the water quality, it is important to note that even brackish water sources can greatly reduce the energy needed to achieve potable water by desalination.