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The cost of traditional water supplies — water rights, new transmission, and reservoirs — are on the rise. In response to water shortages, municipalities and utilities are tapping alternative water supplies, some of which are more cost-effective than traditional sources.
In the current water supply landscape in which water rates are expected to rise, wastewater reuse is proving to be cost-competitive against other alternative solutions. Desalination costs have also come down significantly with the introduction of reverse osmosis technology.
In this Data Insight, Bluefield water experts:
- analyze the impact of water demand on alternative sources
- compare costs of traditional and alternative water supplies
- provide an outlook for changes to water supply costs
- examine costs of transmission, reuse, stormwater, reclaimed water, and desalination
Learn more about our US & Canada Municipal Water Insight Service.
Bluefield Takeaways
- A cost convergence is underway between more traditional water supplies (e.g. reservoirs, transfers) and alternative sources (e.g. reuse, desalination).
- In the current water supply landscape in which water rates are expected to rise, wastewater reuse is proving to be cost competitive against other alternative solutions.
- The cost of traditional water supplies– water rights, new transmission, reservoirs– are on the rise. In many cases, the most economical siting options have already been utilized.
