This paper describes pilot scale studies on a novel combined ion-exchange (IX)-nanofiltration (NF) process for water desalination. Based on the preliminary results of small scale IX and NF studies, a pilot scale hybrid IX-NF system for water desalination has been designed and built for testing and evaluation. Optimization of the operability of the designed pilot system has been done and the obtained results have proved the feasibility of the hybrid IX-NF desalination process. The IX section of the pilot system filled with Purolite A500TLSO(4) resin managed to treat feed waters at various salinities and composition and to convert >95% of chloride ions to sulphate ions. The IX treated salty water was further desalinated using NF90 and NF270 spiral wound 4040 industrial membrane modules. The NF membranes were able to maintain >99% rejection of sulphate ions. It was found that NF reject stream, which is rich in sulphate content, may be used for regeneration of the exhausted IX resins and thus no external regeneration solution is required for the hybrid IX-NF process of water desalination. An incorporation of IX stage in the hybrid process of water desalination allows membrane desalination at lower operating pressures thus reducing the energy consumption. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.