EXHIBIT 1





            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

    We consent to the incorporation by reference in the
registration statement of the Ionics Section 401(k) Stock
Savings Plan on Form S-8 (Registration No. 33-2092) of our
report dated June 19, 1998 on our audits of the financial
statements of the Ionics Section 401(k) Stock Savings Plan
as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, which report is included
in this Annual Report on Form 11-K of the Plan which is
being filed as Exhibit 13(b) to the Annual Report on Form
10-K of Ionics, Incorporated for the year ended December 31,
1997.



                               /s/BELANGER & COMPANY P.C.
                               CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

Chelmsford, Massachusetts
June 23, 1998















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