A desalination system comprises at least one desalination cell. The at least one desalination cell comprises first and second electrodes, an anion exchange layer and a cation ion exchange layer disposed on the respective first and second electrodes, and a spacer disposed between the first and second electrodes. The at least one desalination cell further comprises an ion exchange resin disposed between the first and second electrodes. A desalination system and a method for removing ions from an aqueous stream are also presented.