EXHIBIT 24.1
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS




    We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration
statements for the Ionics 1979 Stock Option Plan on Form S-8 (Registration
Nos. 33-41598, 33-5814, 33-14194, 2-64255, 2-72936 and 2-82780; in the
registration statement for the Ionics Section 401(k) Stock Savings Plan on
Form S-8 (Registration No. 33-2092); and in the Registration Statement for
the Ionics 1986 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (Registration
No. 33-54400), of our reports dated February 22, 1994, on our audits of
the consolidated financial statements and the financial statement
schedules of Ionics, Incorporated as of December 31, 1993 and 1992 and for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1993, which are
included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.




                                             COOPERS & LYBRAND



Boston, Massachusetts
March 28, 1994

























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